JP2016107646A - Ink cartridge and ink jet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink cartridge which makes good electric connection with a printer body.SOLUTION: An ink cartridge 1 is attached to or detached from a cartridge attachment part 33 including ink receiving tubes 52 and a plurality of electric connection parts 55. The ink cartridge 1 includes: a tube insertion part 8 provided at a lower part of a front surface 2c of a housing 2 and into which the ink receiving tube 52 may be inserted; a substrate 3 provided at a position of the front surface 2c which is located above the tube insertion part 8; a plurality of electric contacts 4 which may be electrically connected with the plurality of electric connection parts 55 and are placed on the substrate 3 so as to be arranged along a direction intersecting with a direction from a bottom surface 2b to an upper surface 2a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink cartridge and an ink jet printer capable of printing on a print medium using ink supplied from the ink cartridge.

  An ink cartridge that can be attached to and detached from a receiver (cartridge mounting portion) of a printer main body of an ink jet printer is provided with a cartridge side interface portion that can be connected to a printer main body side interface portion provided in the printer main body (see Patent Document 1). . In Patent Document 1, an electrical contact, an ink supply port (ink discharge port, tube insertion port), a cartridge side lock unit, and the like are provided as a cartridge side interface unit. As the printer body side interface section, an electrical connection section that can be electrically connected to the electrical contacts, an ink receiving tube inserted into the ink supply port, a printer body side locking mechanism that engages with the cartridge side locking section, and the like are used as the receiver. Is provided. When the ink cartridge is inserted into the receiver, the electrical contact of the ink cartridge is connected to the electrical connection portion of the receiver, and the ink receiving tube of the receiver is inserted into the supply port of the ink cartridge. Further, the cartridge side lock portion is engaged with the printer main body side lock portion, whereby the ink cartridge is locked to the receiver. Thereby, the connection between the ink cartridge and the printer main body is completed.

  FIG. As can be understood from 6 to 9, the electrical contact is provided near the upper part of the right side of the cartridge parallel to the cartridge mounting direction (Y-axis direction). Further, the cartridge side lock portion for fixing the cartridge to the receiver is provided on the bottom surface of the cartridge far from the electrical contacts.

International Publication No. 2012-054050

  There is room for improvement in the cartridge-side interface shown in Patent Document 1. For example, in Patent Document 1, since an electrical contact is provided on a surface parallel to the cartridge mounting direction, the electrical connection portion of the printer main body rubs greatly on the electrical contact of the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is mounted or removed. become. Therefore, if the ink cartridge is repeatedly mounted and removed, the electrical connection portion of the printer main body may be worn out and affect the electrical connection. As described above, in the conventional technology, there is room for improvement in the configuration and arrangement relationship of each part in the cartridge side interface unit.

The ink cartridge of the present invention is an ink cartridge that can be mounted along a mounting direction that intersects the direction of gravity with respect to a cartridge mounting portion that includes an ink receiving tube and a plurality of electrical connection portions. A housing including an ink storage chamber for storing ink that can be supplied, the housing having a first side surface, an upper surface, and a bottom surface located at the tip in the mounting direction; and the upper surface of the first side surface A tube insertion portion that is provided at a position near the bottom surface and into which the ink receiving tube can be inserted, and a substrate provided in the housing, which is located above the tube insertion portion and has the mounting direction. A substrate having an intersecting region, and a plurality of electrical contacts electrically connectable to the plurality of electrical connecting portions, wherein the substrate extends along a direction intersecting a height direction from the bottom surface to the top surface. A plurality of electrical contacts arranged in serial areas, a positioning portion than the pipe insertion portion provided at a position lower than and the plurality of electrical contacts above, provided in the cartridge mounting portion A positioning portion engageable with a positioning member that regulates movement of the housing in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction ,
The direction intersecting with the height direction is a horizontal direction orthogonal to the height direction .

  A novel ink cartridge is provided that improves upon the prior art. In addition, a novel ink jet printer capable of realizing a good connection between the ink cartridge and the cartridge mounting portion is provided.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of an inkjet printer. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an ink cartridge. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the board | substrate with which the ink cartridge is equipped. It is an exploded view of an ink cartridge. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating an internal configuration of the ink cartridge, in which FIG. 1A is a diagram of the ink cartridge viewed from the right side along the X-axis direction, and FIG. 2B is a diagram of the ink cartridge viewed from the back side along the Y-axis direction. It is. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state before the ink cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion of the cartridge mounting unit. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a mounting completion state in which an ink cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion of the cartridge mounting unit. It is sectional drawing of a cartridge mounting unit. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a connection relationship between a joint unit extracted from a cartridge mounting unit and an ink cartridge. FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a process in which an ink cartridge is inserted into a mounting portion, where FIG. 5A illustrates an initial insertion state, and FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows ink cartridge 1BK applicable in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the electrode pad on a board | substrate. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning and the attachment method of a board | substrate. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of an ink cartridge applicable in the second embodiment, where (a) is a diagram of the ink cartridge viewed from the right side along the X-axis direction, and (b) is a diagram illustrating the ink cartridge in the Y-axis direction. It is the figure seen from the back side along. It is a figure which shows the process in which the ink cartridge applicable in 2nd Embodiment is inserted in a mounting part, (a) shows the insertion initial state, (b) has shown the insertion completion state. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink cartridge 1801 applicable in the third embodiment, (a) is a perspective view showing an appearance of the ink cartridge 1801, and (b) is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the ink cartridge 1801. . FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a connection relationship between a joint unit 59 extracted from a cartridge mounting unit applicable in the third embodiment and an ink cartridge 1801. It is a figure which shows the process in which it inserts in the ink cartridge 1801 applicable in 3rd Embodiment, (a) shows the insertion initial state, (b) has shown the insertion completion state. It is a schematic diagram which shows ink cartridge 1BK applicable in 3rd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of the ink cartridge 201 applicable in 4th Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink cartridge 301 applicable in the fifth embodiment, (a) is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of the ink cartridge 301, and (b) the right side of the ink cartridge 301 along the X-axis direction. It is a figure which shows the internal structure seen from the side. It is a figure which shows the process in which the ink cartridge 301 applicable in 5th Embodiment is inserted in a mounting part, (a) shows the insertion initial state, (b) has shown the insertion completion state. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink cartridge 401 applicable in the sixth embodiment, (a) is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of the ink cartridge 401, and (b) the right side surface of the ink cartridge 401 along the X-axis direction. It is a figure which shows the internal structure seen from the side. It is a figure which shows the process in which the ink cartridge 401 applicable in 6th Embodiment is inserted in a mounting part, (a) shows the insertion initial state, (b) has shown the insertion completion state. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink cartridge 501 applicable in the seventh embodiment, (a) is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of the ink cartridge 501, and (b) the right side surface of the ink cartridge 501 along the X-axis direction. It is a figure which shows the internal structure seen from the side. It is a figure which shows the process in which the ink cartridge 501 applicable in 7th Embodiment is inserted in a mounting part, (a) shows the insertion initial state, (b) has shown the insertion completion state. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink cartridge 601 applicable in the eighth embodiment, (a) is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of the ink cartridge 601, and (b) the right side surface of the ink cartridge 601 along the X-axis direction. It is a figure which shows the internal structure seen from the side. It is a figure which shows the process in which the ink cartridge 601 applicable in 8th Embodiment is inserted in a mounting part, (a) shows the insertion initial state, (b) has shown the insertion completion state. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the ink cartridge 701 applicable in 9th Embodiment, (a) is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the ink cartridge 701, (b) The right surface along the X-axis direction is shown for the ink cartridge 701. It is a figure which shows the internal structure seen from the side. It is a figure which shows the process in which the ink cartridge 701 applicable in 9th Embodiment is inserted in a mounting part, (a) shows the insertion initial state, (b) has shown the insertion completion state. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the ink cartridge 801 applicable in 10th Embodiment, (a) is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the ink cartridge 801, (b) The right side surface along the X-axis direction is the ink cartridge 801. It is a figure which shows the internal structure seen from the side. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the ink cartridge 901 applicable in 11th Embodiment, (a) is a figure which shows that the spring which urges | biases a board | substrate is an expansion | extension state, (b) Energizes a board | substrate It is a figure which shows the internal structure which shows that a spring is in a compression state. It is a figure which shows the process in which the ink cartridge 901 applicable in 11th Embodiment is inserted in a mounting part, (a) shows the insertion initial state, (b) has shown the insertion completion state. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the ink cartridge 1001 applicable in 12th Embodiment, (a) is a figure which shows the internal structure which looked at the ink cartridge 1001 from the right surface side along the X-axis direction, (b). FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a substrate. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a process in which an ink cartridge 1001 applicable in the twelfth embodiment is inserted into a mounting portion, where (a) illustrates an initial insertion state, (b) illustrates an insertion process, and (c) illustrates an insertion process. Indicates completion status. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the ink cartridge 1101 applicable in 14th Embodiment, (a) is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the ink cartridge 1101, (b) The right surface along the X-axis direction of the ink cartridge 1101 It is a figure which shows the internal structure seen from the side. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink cartridge 1201 applicable in the thirteenth embodiment, (a) is a perspective view showing the appearance of the ink cartridge 1201, and (b) the right side of the ink cartridge 1201 along the X-axis direction. It is a figure which shows the internal structure seen from the side. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the ink cartridge 1301 which can be applied in 14th Embodiment, (a) is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the ink cartridge 1301, (b) It is a right surface along the X-axis direction. It is a figure which shows the internal structure seen from the side. It is the figure which showed the structure of the positioning part applicable in 15th Embodiment. It is the figure which showed schematic structure of the ink cartridge applicable in 16th Embodiment, (a) is a figure which shows the 2nd housing | casing member 41 which is a component of the housing | casing 2, (b) 5 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge 1701 having a second housing member 41. FIG. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink cartridge 1901 applicable in the seventeenth embodiment, and shows how an engaging portion 1924 moves in accordance with the movement of an engaging lever 1926. It is a figure which shows the process in which the ink cartridge 1901 applicable in 17th Embodiment is inserted in the mounting part 33, (a) shows the insertion initial state, (b) has shown the insertion completion state. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the ink cartridges 2001, 2011, 2201, and 2301 applicable in 18th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an ink cartridge and an ink jet printer according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. Each of the following embodiments is a preferred example for carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these configurations.

[First Embodiment]
<Inkjet printer>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink jet printer as an image forming apparatus. FIG. 1 shows a state where an ink cartridge 1 as an ink storage container is mounted on a printer main body (hereinafter also referred to as “apparatus main body”) 30.

  In addition to the carriage 31, the inkjet head 32, the mounting unit 33, the transport unit 34, the control unit 35, and the input / output unit 36, the printer main body 30 includes an openable / closable exterior cover, a feeding unit, a feeding cassette, and a discharge unit. A tray and operation unit are provided. The printer main body 30 is configured to be connectable to an external device (not shown) such as a computer, a digital camera, or a memory card via the input / output unit 36.

  The control unit 35 controls the entire printer body 30, controls information communication with the ink cartridge 1, analyzes and processes information input from an external device via the input / output unit 36, and information to the input / output unit 36 Execute the output etc. For example, the control unit 35 issues a command to operate each device such as the carriage 31, the inkjet head 32, the transport unit 34, and the feeding unit, and controls the operation of each device. In addition, the control unit 35 performs control for reading cartridge-specific information such as ink color, initial ink filling amount, and ink consumption from the storage element provided in the ink cartridge 1, and ink consumption in the storage element provided in the ink cartridge 1. Control to write information such as quantity can also be executed. Further, the control unit 35 analyzes and processes information such as a print command and image data input from an external device via the input / output unit 36, and outputs information such as ink remaining amount to the input / output unit 36. You can also

  The carriage 31 is provided with a mounting portion (hereinafter also referred to as “cartridge mounting portion” or “cartridge holder”) 33 to which the inkjet head 32 and the ink cartridge 1 can be detachably mounted. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 described later, a head unit (also referred to as a “cartridge mounting unit”) 38 in which the inkjet head 32 and the mounting portion 33 are integrated with respect to the carriage 31. It is structured to be detachably mounted. The carriage 31 is configured to be movable along the X-axis direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the print medium 37.

  A mounting portion 33 provided on the carriage 31 is detachably mounted with ink cartridges 1C, 1Bk, 1M, and 1Y that respectively store cyan (C), black (Bk), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) inks. It is configured to be. The ink cartridge 1Bk is wider and has a larger capacity than the other three ink cartridges 1C, 1M, and 1Y. Further, the ink jet head 32 includes color head portions for ejecting cyan (C), black (Bk), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) ink, respectively, and ink supplied from the ink cartridge 1. Is configured to be discharged.

  When the user attaches / detaches or replaces the ink cartridge 1 to / from such a carriage 31, first, the user opens an exterior cover (not shown) that covers the carriage 31, the conveying means 34, and the like. To. When the open state of the exterior cover is detected by the printer main body, the carriage 31 moves to a “cartridge replacement position (not shown)”. The user can insert the ink cartridge 1 into the carriage 31 at the cartridge replacement position, and can take out the ink cartridge 1 from the carriage 31 at the cartridge replacement position.

  When the user closes the exterior cover after the ink cartridge 1 is attached or detached or replaced, the closed state of the exterior cover is detected. When the closed state is detected, the control unit 35 of the printer main body 30 reads the ink color information from the storage element of the ink cartridge 1 mounted on the carriage 31. Based on the read ink color information, the control unit 35 determines whether all the ink cartridges (four colors in this example) to be mounted on the carriage 31 are prepared. When it is determined that there is an ink cartridge of a color that is not mounted on the carriage 31, the control unit 35 displays an error message on the display panel of the operation unit (not shown) or the display unit of the external device (not shown). In addition, an error display command is issued to the operation unit and the external device. On the other hand, when it is determined that all the color ink cartridges to be mounted on the carriage 31 are prepared, the ink jet printer is ready for printing.

  When a print command is input to the control unit 35 from an external device (not shown) or an operation unit (not shown), the control unit 35 determines whether the printer is in a printable state. In a printable state, the feeding means (not shown) picks up the print medium 37 loaded in the feeding cassette (not shown), and the picked-up print medium 37 is directed toward the conveying means 34. To feed. The transport unit 34 includes a platen that supports the lower surface of the print medium, a transport roller that can intermittently transport the print medium, a drive unit that rotationally drives the transport roller, and the like. The print medium fed from the feed unit 37 is conveyed toward a discharge tray (not shown). Between the conveyance of the print medium 37, the carriage 31 moves on the print medium along the X-axis direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the print medium 37. While the carriage 31 is moving, ink is ejected from the inkjet head 32 toward the print medium 37, thereby forming an image on the print medium. As described above, an image is formed on the print medium by repeatedly moving the carriage and transporting the print medium.

  In the present embodiment, a structure in which the head unit (cartridge mounting unit) 38 is detachably mounted on the carriage 31 is employed, but the present invention is not limited to this. The ink jet head 32 and the mounting portion 33 may be separately detachably mounted on the carriage 31. Alternatively, the mounting portion 33 may be integrated with the carriage 31, and only the inkjet head 32 may be detachably mounted on the carriage 31. Furthermore, both the inkjet head 32 and the mounting part 33 may be integrated with the carriage 31. In short, the carriage 31 may be configured so that the ink jet head 32 can be mounted and the ink cartridge 1 can be attached and detached.

<Ink cartridge>
Next, an example of an ink cartridge that can be used in the ink jet printer of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The four ink cartridges 1C, 1Bk, 1M, and 1Y used in this embodiment are different in the type of ink to be stored, the cartridge width (1Bk is wider than 1C, 1M, and 1Y), and the identification unit 9 described later. Other than the above, the basic configuration is the same. Therefore, hereinafter, the configuration of the ink cartridge 1M will be representatively described as “ink cartridge 1”.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an ink cartridge 1M applicable in the first embodiment. 3A and 3B are views showing the appearance of the substrate provided in the ink cartridge of FIG. 2, wherein FIG. 3A is a front view and FIG. 3B is a side view. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the ink cartridge of FIG. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing an internal configuration of the ink cartridge of FIG. 2, wherein FIG. 5A is a view of the ink cartridge viewed from the right side along the X-axis direction, and FIG. 5B is a view of the ink cartridge along the Y-axis direction. It is the figure seen from the back side.

(Casing)
As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the ink cartridge 1 as an ink storage container includes a rectangular parallelepiped housing (hereinafter referred to as “cartridge main body” or “container main body”) having an ink storage chamber 11 therein. 2) is provided.

  The housing 2 includes an upper surface 2a that is an outer wall surface of the upper wall, a lower surface (bottom surface) 2b that is an outer wall surface of the lower wall (bottom wall), and a plurality of side surfaces that are outer wall surfaces of a plurality of side walls that connect the upper wall and the lower wall. 2c-2f is comprised. These top wall / top surface, bottom wall / bottom surface and multiple side walls / multiple side surfaces indicate the orientation (posture) of the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion, that is, the orientation (posture) of the ink cartridge in use. ).

  The plurality of side surfaces are a front surface (front surface) 2c which is a first side surface, a rear surface (back surface) 2d which is a second side surface, a left surface 2e which is a third side surface connecting the first side surface and the second side surface, a first side surface and a second side surface. It includes a right surface 2f that is a fourth side surface connecting the side surfaces. The front surface 2c is a surface located on the front side (tip) in the mounting direction of the ink cartridge. The rear surface (rear surface) 2d is a surface located on the rear side (rear end) in the ink cartridge mounting direction, and is located on the opposite side of the front surface 2c with the ink storage chamber 11 in between. The left surface 2e is a surface located on the left side when the ink cartridge is viewed from the front side. The right surface 2f is a surface located on the right side when the ink cartridge is viewed from the front side, and is located on the opposite side of the left surface 2e across the ink storage chamber 11.

  In this embodiment, the housing | casing 2 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped which has six main surfaces. Among the six surfaces, the left surface 2e and the right surface 2f are surfaces having the maximum area, and the front surface (front surface) 2c and the rear surface (back surface) 2d are surfaces having the minimum area. The size relationship of the six surfaces is such that the front surface 2c and the rear surface 2d <the upper surface 2a and the lower surface (bottom surface) 2b <the left surface 2e and the right surface 2f.

As for the size of the housing 2 in the present embodiment, for example, the height (size in the Z-axis direction) is about 4.7 cm, the depth (size in the Y-axis direction) is about 8.4 cm, and the width (size in the X-axis direction) is about 1.6mm. Therefore, the area of the left surface 2e and the right surface 2f is about 39.48 (= 4.7 × 8.4) cm ² . The area of the upper surface 2a and the lower surface 2b is about 13.44 (= 1.6 × 8.4) cm ² . The area of the front surface (front surface) 2c and the rear surface (back surface) 2d is about 7.52 (= 1.6 × 4.7) cm ² . It should be noted that the specific numbers of height, depth, and width exemplified here are merely examples applicable to the size of the housing 2, and of course the size of the housing 2 of the present embodiment is not limited to this. It is.

  In addition, the 1st side wall which has the 1st side surface which is the front surface 2c is a "front wall", the 2nd side wall which has the 2nd side surface which is the rear surface 2d is a "rear wall", and the 3rd side wall which has the 3rd side surface which is the left surface 2e. Is called the “left wall”, and the fourth side wall having the fourth side surface which is the right surface 2f is called the “right wall”. The front wall and the rear wall face each other with the ink storage chamber 11 interposed therebetween, and the left wall and the right wall face each other with the ink storage chamber 11 interposed therebetween.

  In FIG. 2, the X-axis direction is the width direction of the ink cartridge 1, and is also the movement direction of the ink cartridge 1 (the movement direction of the carriage) when mounted on the carriage. The “width direction” is a direction from the right surface 2 f of the housing 2 toward the left surface 2 e. The Y-axis direction is the depth direction of the ink cartridge, and is also the mounting direction (insertion direction) and the removal direction (removal direction) of the cartridge. The “depth direction” is a direction from the front surface 2 c to the rear surface 2 d of the housing 2. The Z-axis direction is the height direction of the ink cartridge, and is a direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The “height direction” is a direction from the lower surface 2 b of the housing 2 toward the upper surface 2 a. The θx direction is a rotation direction with the X axis as the rotation center axis, the θy direction is a rotation direction with the Y axis as the rotation center axis, and the θz direction is a rotation direction with the Z axis as the rotation center axis.

  In this embodiment, since a rectangular parallelepiped housing is adopted, the X-axis direction is orthogonal to the left surface 2e and the right surface 2f, the Y-axis direction is orthogonal to the front surface (front surface) 2c and the back surface 2d, and the Z axis The direction is perpendicular to the upper surface 2a and the lower surface (bottom surface) 2b.

  However, as will be described later, the shape of the housing applicable in the present embodiment is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped shape. For example, all or part of the surface constituting the housing is configured by a curved surface or an inclined surface. Also good. In the case where all or a part of the surfaces constituting the housing are formed of curved surfaces or inclined surfaces, the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis are not necessarily orthogonal to these surfaces.

(Cartridge side interface)
As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the front surface 2c of the housing has a substrate 3 provided with electrical contacts 4, a positioning hole 6 as a positioning portion, a through-hole 27 as a penetrating portion, and a tube insertion A tube insertion port 8 as a unit and an identification unit 9 are provided. The electrical contact 4, the positioning hole 6, the through-hole 27, the tube insertion port 8, and the identification unit 9 function as a cartridge-side interface unit that is connected to or engaged with the printer main body-side interface unit provided in the mounting unit 33.

  The electrical contact 4, the positioning hole 6, the through-hole 27, the tube insertion port 8, and the identification unit 9 are respectively an electrical connection unit 55, a positioning pin 53, and an opening pin that are the printer main body side interface units shown in FIGS. 51, the ink receiving tube 52, and the identification member 60 are connected or engaged. Details of the configuration of the printer main body side interface unit will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the ink cartridge will be described focusing on the cartridge-side interface unit.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the tube insertion port 8 is provided in the vicinity of the bottom surface, which is the lower portion of the front surface 2 c of the housing 2 (the portion closer to the bottom surface 2 b than the top surface 2 a). The tube insertion port 8 is provided at one end of the tube insertion path 22, and the other end of the tube insertion path 22 is connected to the ink storage chamber 11. The tube insertion path 22 extends from one end to the other end along the cartridge depth direction (a direction parallel to the perpendicular to the formation surface of the tube insertion port 8 and the Y-axis direction). In the example of FIG. 5, the entire hollow path extending from one end to the other end extends along the cartridge depth direction (direction parallel to the perpendicular to the formation surface of the tube insertion port 8, the Y-axis direction). The configuration applicable in the present embodiment is not limited to this. The tube insertion path 22 only needs to be configured to receive the ink receiving tube 52 extending along the Y-axis direction. For example, a configuration in which a hollow extending portion extending in the cartridge depth direction from one end portion where the tube insertion port 8 is provided may be provided only in a part of the tube insertion path 22 may be employed.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the tube insertion path 22 is provided with a seal member 19 as an elastic body. A slit that can be opened and closed is provided at the end of the seal member 19 on the back side (side closer to the ink storage chamber 11 than the tube insertion port 8). The slit is closed when the ink receiving tube 52 is not inserted. It is in the state. In a state where the slit is closed, the tube insertion port 8 and the ink storage chamber 11 are not in communication. When the ink receiving tube 52 is inserted into the tube insertion path 22, the slit is pushed open to ensure communication between the ink receiving tube 52 and the ink storage chamber 11 and no ink leakage occurs. As described above, the inner peripheral surface of the seal member 19 elastically contacts the outer peripheral surface of the ink receiving tube 52. By inserting the ink receiving tube 52 into the tube insertion path 22 in this manner, the ink in the ink storage chamber 11 can be supplied to the ink receiving tube 52.

  Since the ink receiving tube 52 is inserted into the tube insertion port 8 when the ink cartridge is mounted, this allows a direction orthogonal to the cartridge mounting direction (for example, the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction that are directions along the front surface 2c). The movement of the housing 2 to) is restricted. That is, the tube insertion port 8 as the tube insertion portion also plays a role of suppressing the positional deviation of the front surface 2c in the in-plane direction.

  In this embodiment, a tube insertion port (opening) is adopted as the tube insertion portion, but the tube insertion portion is not limited to the opening. Since the tube insertion portion 8 only needs to be configured so that the ink receiving tube 52 can be inserted, the tube insertion portion 8 does not necessarily have to be opened before the ink receiving tube 52 is inserted. For example, the tube insertion portion 8 may be closed when the ink receiving tube 52 is not inserted and opened only when the ink receiving tube 52 is inserted.

  The tube insertion path, the tube insertion port, and the tube insertion portion can also be referred to as follows from the functional aspect. For example, the “tube insertion path 22” is also a part that receives the ink receiving pipe 52, and therefore may be referred to as a “tube receiving path”. The “tube insertion port 8” is located at one end of the tube receiving path and is also an opening for receiving the ink receiving tube 52, and can also be referred to as a “tube receiving port”. The “tube insertion portion 8” is located at one end of the tube receiving path, and is also a portion for receiving the ink receiving tube 52, and is also referred to as a “tube receiving portion”.

  Further, the tube insertion path, the tube insertion port, and the tube insertion portion can also be referred to as follows from the functional aspect. For example, the “tube insertion path 22” is also a supply path for supplying ink in the ink storage chamber 11 to the outside of the cartridge (ink receiving pipe 52), and can also be referred to as an “ink supply path”. The “tube insertion port 8” is located at one end of the ink supply path and is also an opening for supplying the ink in the ink storage chamber 11 to the outside of the cartridge (ink receiving tube 52), and is therefore referred to as an “ink supply port”. You can also. The “tube insertion portion 8” is located at one end of the ink supply path, and is also a portion for supplying the ink in the ink storage chamber 11 to the outside of the cartridge (ink receiving tube 52). You can also.

  Further, the tube insertion path, the tube insertion port, and the tube insertion portion can also be referred to as follows from the functional aspect. For example, the “tube insertion path 22” is also a discharge path through which the ink in the ink storage chamber 11 can be discharged to the outside of the cartridge, and can also be referred to as an “ink discharge path”. The “tube insertion port 8” is located at one end of the ink discharge path and is also an opening through which the ink in the ink storage chamber 11 can be discharged to the outside of the cartridge, so it can also be referred to as “ink discharge port”. The “tube insertion portion 8” is located at one end of the ink discharge path, and is also a portion that can discharge the ink in the ink storage chamber 11 to the outside of the cartridge. Therefore, it can also be referred to as an “ink discharge portion”.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when the ink cartridge 1 is not attached to the attachment portion 33, that is, when the ink cartridge 1 is not used, the sealing film 18 as a sealing member is inserted into the tube insertion opening. 8 is attached to a peripheral portion of the tube insertion port 8 so as to cover the tube 8. This sealing film 18 (also referred to as “pipe insertion port sealing film”, “supply port sealing film”, or “pipe receiving port sealing film”) prevents ink leakage before use of the cartridge during distribution or the like. It functions as a means for preventing ink leakage. The sealing film 18 is opened by the ink receiving tube 52 when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted.

  A substrate 3 having an electrode pad as an electrical contact (hereinafter also referred to as “cartridge side electrical contact”) 4 is positioned above the supply port 8 on the front surface 2c of the housing 2, more specifically, on the upper surface 2a. It is provided in the vicinity. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of electrical contacts 4 are provided on the front surface of the substrate 3, and a storage element 5 is provided on the back surface of the substrate 3. The electrical contact 4 and the memory element 5 are connected by wiring through a through hole provided in the substrate. Here, the “back surface” of the substrate 3 refers to a surface facing the inside of the housing, and the “front surface” of the substrate 3 refers to a surface facing the outside of the housing. The shape and structure of the substrate 3 are not particularly limited as long as the electrical contacts 4 and the memory elements 5 can be supported. The substrate 3 may be, for example, a so-called glass epoxy substrate in which a wiring pattern is formed on a plate made by mixing glass fiber and epoxy resin, or a so-called flexible substrate in which a wiring pattern is formed on a film. May be.

  The storage element 5 is an IC chip including an information storage unit (memory unit) and a control circuit. The information storage unit stores cartridge specific information. The cartridge-specific information includes, for example, information on the color of the ink stored in the ink storage chamber, information on the initial ink filling amount, information on the consumption of ink supplied to the outside from the ink storage chamber, and the date of manufacture of the cartridge For example, information about the day. The configuration of the information storage unit (memory unit) is not particularly limited, and various forms such as EEPROM and FeRAM are applicable. On the other hand, the control circuit can analyze the information sent from the control unit 35 of the printer main body 30, write the information in the information storage unit, read the information from the information storage unit, and output the information to the control unit 35. It is configured as follows. For example, the control circuit can analyze the ink consumption amount information and the ink color information sent from the control unit 35 and write the ink consumption amount information and the ink color information into the information storage unit. Further, the control circuit can read out ink color information and ink consumption information stored in the information storage unit, and can output the read information to the control unit 35.

  The electrode pad as the cartridge-side electrical contact 4 can be electrically connected to the electrode terminal as the main body-side electrical contact 55 (hereinafter also referred to as “electrical connection portion”), as shown in FIG. 4 is a contact position 4 a with the electrode terminal 55. A plurality of electrical contacts (electrode pads) are provided on the surface of the substrate 3. The plurality of electrical contacts 4 include, for example, a contact from which a clock signal is input from the printer body, a contact from which data such as ink consumption is input and output, a contact from which power to operate the storage element is supplied from the printer body, and a ground The contact point etc. connected to are included. In addition, although the case where the number of electrical contacts is five was illustrated in FIG. 3, the number of electrical contacts is not limited to five, and naturally it can be increased or decreased as necessary.

  In this embodiment, the electrode pad 4 should just be arrange | positioned in the position which can be connected to the electrode terminal 55 arrange | positioned at the mounting part 33 as FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 mentioned later. For this purpose, it is preferable to arrange the electrode pads 4 on a surface that intersects the cartridge mounting direction (Y-axis direction) (for example, an area on the substrate 3 that intersects the cartridge mounting direction).

  In particular, it is preferable that the plurality of electrode pads 4 be arranged side by side in a direction intersecting the cartridge height direction (Z-axis direction) on the surface intersecting the cartridge mounting direction described above. Furthermore, it is more preferable to arrange the plurality of electrode pads 4 side by side in the cartridge width direction (horizontal direction), which is an example of “a direction intersecting the cartridge height direction (Z-axis direction)”.

  In the example of FIG. 3A, the plurality of electrode pads 4 are arranged side by side along the cartridge width direction (X-axis direction) on the front surface 2c, which is the XZ plane orthogonal to the cartridge mounting direction (Y-axis direction). However, this arrangement is only a preferred example. For example, a plurality of electrode pads 4 may be arranged on a surface that is inclined with respect to the XZ plane.

  In addition, various representation methods are possible to represent the arrangement of the electrode pads shown in FIG. For example, the plurality of electrode pads 4 are arranged side by side in a direction intersecting the cartridge height direction (Z-axis direction) (for example, the horizontal direction) in a region intersecting the cartridge depth direction (Y-axis direction). It can be expressed as The plurality of electrode pads 4 are arranged in a direction intersecting the cartridge height direction (Z-axis direction) (for example, the horizontal direction) in a region intersecting the extending direction of the tube insertion path 22 having the tube insertion port 8. It can also be expressed as being arranged. Further, the plurality of electrode pads 4 are formed in a direction (for example, horizontal direction) intersecting the cartridge height direction (Z-axis direction) in a region intersecting with the direction parallel to the perpendicular of the formation surface / formation region of the tube insertion port 8. It can also be expressed as being arranged side by side. Further, the plurality of electrode pads 4 are arranged side by side in a direction (for example, the horizontal direction) intersecting the cartridge height direction (Z-axis direction) in a region intersecting the direction parallel to the center line of the tube insertion port 8. It can also be expressed as.

  As described above, the electrode pad 4 of this embodiment includes (1) a region intersecting the cartridge mounting direction, (2) a region intersecting the Y-axis direction, (3) a region intersecting the cartridge depth direction, and (4) a tube. A region intersecting with a direction parallel to the perpendicular of the forming surface of the insertion port (ink discharge port) 8, (5) a region intersecting with a direction parallel to the extending direction of the tube insertion path (ink discharge channel) 22, or ( 6) It is preferable to have a region intersecting the direction parallel to the center line of the tube insertion port (ink discharge port).

  By connecting the electrode pad 4 to the electrode terminal 55, the storage element 5 of the ink cartridge 1 and the control unit 35 of the printer main body 30 are electrically connected. As a result, the control unit 35 can read out information (for example, the cartridge specific information) stored in the storage element 5 by a known method. Similarly, the control unit 35 can write information (for example, information related to ink consumption) to the storage element 5 by a known method.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the positioning unit 6 is provided between the tube insertion port 8 and the electrical contact 4 in the longitudinal direction (height direction) of the front surface 2 c of the housing 2, more specifically. It is provided at a position closer to the electrical contact 4 than the tube insertion opening 8. That is, the positioning portion 6 is disposed above the tube insertion port 8, below the electrical contact 4, and at a position closer to the electrical contact 4 than the tube insertion port 8. The positioning portion 6 is a portion into which a tapered cylindrical positioning pin 53 is inserted. By engaging (for example, fitting) with the positioning pin 53, the positioning portion 6 is orthogonal to the cartridge mounting direction (for example, on the front surface 2c). The movement of the housing 2 in the direction along the X axis direction or the Z axis direction) is restricted. In the present embodiment, the positioning unit 6 can be configured to restrict cartridge movement in a direction (for example, a direction along the front surface 2c) orthogonal to the cartridge mounting direction by engagement (for example, fitting) with the positioning pins 53. Any form may be used. For example, the positioning portion 6 may be a through-hole portion penetrating the front wall or a concave portion provided in the front wall, but in any case, a positioning port into which the positioning pin 53 is inserted is used. The configuration is a suitable example. Although the cartridge movement to some extent is also restricted by inserting the ink receiving tube 52 into the tube insertion port 8, in the present embodiment, it is responsible for highly accurate positioning of the ink cartridge with respect to the mounting portion. They are the positioning part 6 and the position control surface 10 mentioned later.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the atmosphere communication port 7 and the through-hole 27 are provided between the tube insertion port 8 and the positioning portion 6 in the cartridge height direction. That is, the atmosphere communication port 7 and the through-hole 27 are disposed above the tube insertion port 8 and below the positioning portion 6.

  The air communication port 7 and the through-hole 27 are portions into which the opening pin 51 is inserted. The through-hole 27 is a through-hole provided in the front wall, and is configured to allow the opening pin to pass therethrough. On the other hand, the atmosphere communication port 7 is an opening provided at one end portion of the atmosphere communication passage 16, and is located at the back side of the through-hole 27, specifically, between the front wall and the ink storage chamber 11 in the cartridge depth direction. It is provided in the atmosphere communication port forming wall which is an inner wall located between them. As will be described later, when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the mounting portion 33, the opening pin 51 is first inserted into the through-hole 27, and then the opening pin 51 that has passed through the through-hole 27 is inserted into the atmosphere communication port 7. become.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, one end portion of the atmospheric communication passage 16 is an atmospheric communication port 7 which is an opening provided in the atmospheric communication port forming wall, and the other end portion of the atmospheric communication passage 16 is an ink storage chamber. 11 is connected. A filter 15 having a meniscus force is disposed at a connection portion between the atmosphere communication path 16 and the ink storage chamber 11. When ink is consumed and the negative pressure in the ink storage chamber reaches or exceeds the meniscus force of the filter, the atmosphere on the atmosphere communication path side breaks the meniscus of the filter 15 and is introduced into the ink storage chamber to be in a communication state. In the communication state, air is introduced into the ink storage chamber 11 through the air communication passage 16 by the amount of ink consumed from the ink storage chamber 11, so that the negative pressure in the ink storage chamber 11 may become too high. Absent. Therefore, there is no problem that it becomes difficult to supply ink from the ink storage chamber 11 to the outside due to the negative pressure in the ink storage chamber 11 becoming too high, and almost all the ink in the ink storage chamber 11 is discharged. It can also be used up.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when the ink cartridge 1 is not used, a sealing film 17 as a sealing member is disposed so as to cover the atmosphere communication port 7. Hereinafter, the sealing film 17 is also referred to as an “atmospheric communication port sealing film”. As shown in FIG. 4, the atmosphere communication port sealing film 17 is bent by approximately 90 ° with respect to the main surface of the flexible member 12, and is provided in the first housing member 40. The air communication port 7 is in close contact with the air communication port forming wall that is the inner wall of the first housing member 40 so as to cover the air communication port 7. When the ink cartridge 1 is mounted, the atmosphere communication port sealing film 17 is opened by the opening pin 51 inserted into the atmosphere communication port 7 through the through port 27. In the present embodiment, the atmosphere communication port sealing film 17 is configured integrally with the flexible member 12, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the air communication port sealing film 17 is possible. The flexible member 12 may be configured as a separate part.

  The air communication port sealing film 17 functions as a means for suppressing ink evaporation and ink leakage before using the cartridge during distribution or the like. Therefore, it is preferable that the opening timing of the atmosphere communication port sealing film 17 is immediately before the use of the ink cartridge. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to open the atmosphere communication port sealing film 17 at the timing when the ink cartridge 1 is attached to the printer main body, the air communication port sealing film 17 is opened by the opening pin 51 of the printer main body. The structure that is opened is adopted.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A, the atmosphere communication port sealing film 17 is located deeper than the front surface 2c, specifically, a position between the front surface and the ink storage chamber. And it is arrange | positioned in the position which a user cannot touch. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the atmosphere communication port sealing film 17 from being peeled off by the user before using the cartridge.

  The identification unit 9 is a part having a function of mechanically preventing the ink cartridge 1 from being mounted at an incorrect mounting position (a position where an ink cartridge of another color is to be mounted). Has a unique shape. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the identification unit 9 has a recess, and the position of the recess is different for each color of the ink cartridge. Corresponding to the identification portion 9, the cartridge mounting portion 33 is provided with a convex portion as the identification member 60 (see FIG. 9). The position of the convex portion is different for each mounting portion, and is configured so that ink cartridges of other colors cannot be mounted. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the identification unit 9 is located between the tube insertion port 8 and the electrical contact 4 in the longitudinal direction (height direction) of the front surface 2 c of the housing 2. Specifically, the identification unit 9 is provided along the longitudinal direction, and the arrangement range thereof is wider than the distance in the longitudinal direction between the positioning unit 6 and the through hole 27.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the portion around the through hole 27 on the front surface 2 c of the housing 2 is raised in a cylindrical shape. As will be described later, the raised portion and the vicinity thereof function as an eject spring contact portion 23 that can contact an eject spring 57 provided in the mounting portion 33 (see FIG. 9). The eject spring contact portion 23 indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 9 is urged in the cartridge removal direction by the eject spring 57 in a state where the ink cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion. That is, the eject spring contact portion 23 functions as a force receiving portion that receives from the eject spring 57 a biasing force that biases the ink cartridge 1 in the removal direction or a force (external force) that moves the ink cartridge 1 in the removal direction. To do. The position of the eject spring contact portion 23 is between the electrical contact 4 and the tube insertion port 8 in the cartridge height direction, more specifically below the positioning portion 6 and above the tube insertion port 8.

  As described above, on the front surface 2c of the housing 2, the electrical contact 4, the positioning portion (positioning port) 6, the through-hole 27, the tube insertion port 8, the identification portion 9, the eject spring contact portion (force receiving portion) 23, and the like. The cartridge side interface section is intensively provided. By centrally arranging the cartridge side interface unit, the printer main unit side interface unit can also be centrally arranged, whereby the printer main unit side interface unit can be unitized, and the size of the unit can be reduced.

  The cartridge side interface section is not only provided on the front surface 2 c of the housing 2 but also on the upper surface 2 a of the housing 2. On the upper surface 2a of the housing 2, there is provided an engaging portion 24 that can be engaged with a locking portion 54 of a locking lever 58 provided in the mounting portion 33 shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the engaging portion 24 is formed on the locking protrusion as the locking portion 54 in order to hold the ink cartridge 1 in the mounting completion position against the urging force of the eject spring 57. The recess is engageable. The engaging portion 24 functions as a lock portion for fixing the ink cartridge 1 to the cartridge mounting portion 33.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 10, the concave portion as the engaging portion 24 has a side portion that is a region 24 a intersecting the Y-axis direction, and at least a part of the region 24 a is It is comprised so that it may contact | abut to the latching protrusion 54. FIG. The region 24a is a plane that intersects with a direction perpendicular to the region on the substrate 3 on which the electrical contact 4 is provided or a direction parallel to the normal to the electrical contact 4, and in the present embodiment, the region 24a is parallel to the perpendicular. Is orthogonal to any direction. Further, the region 24 a is a region intersecting with a direction parallel to the perpendicular of the forming surface of the ink discharge port 8, and a region intersecting with a direction parallel to the extending direction of the ink discharge path 22. Further, the region 24a is a region intersecting with a direction parallel to the center line of the ink discharge port 8 (a virtual line passing through the center of the ink discharge port 8).

  In the engaged state (locked state) in which the engaging portion 24 and the locking portion 54 are engaged, the connection between the cartridge side interface portion and the printer main body side interface portion is performed in order to hold the ink cartridge 1 at the mounting completion position. State (for example, connection state between the electrical contact 4 and the electrical connection portion 55, connection state between the positioning portion 6 and the positioning pin 53 (engagement (for example, fitting) state between the positioning portion 6 and the positioning pin 53), tube The connection state between the insertion port 8 and the ink receiving tube 52 (the insertion state in which the ink receiving tube is inserted into the tube insertion port 8), the communication state between the ink storage chamber 11 and the ink receiving tube 52, etc.) are maintained. On the other hand, when the engaged state (locked state) between the engaging portion 24 and the locking portion 54 is released, the ink cartridge 1 is moved in the removal direction by the urging force of the eject spring 57, and the cartridge side interface portion and the printer main body are moved. The connection state with the side interface unit is also released. Thus, the engaging portion 24 functions as a means for maintaining the connection state between the cartridge side interface portion and the printer main body side interface portion together with the locking portion 54.

  From another point of view, the engaging portion 24 restricts the movement of the casing 2 in the removal direction of the ink cartridge 1 (for example, the direction from the front to the rear) against the urging force of the eject spring 57. It functions as a part that can receive the regulatory force to do. In the present embodiment, the region 24 a of the engaging portion 24 receives the restriction force from the locking protrusion 54 of the locking lever 58. As described above, the engaging portion 24 is a restricting member for restricting the movement of the housing 2 caused by the force (external force) received from the outside of the ink cartridge 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the engaging portion 24 is provided on the upper surface 2 a of the housing 2. In the configuration of the present embodiment in which the engaging portion 24 is provided on the upper surface 2 a of the housing 2, the distance between the engaging portion 24 and the electrical contact 4 is greater than in the configuration in which the engaging portion is provided on the bottom surface of the housing. Since it can be made small, even if a positional shift centered on the engaging portion 24 occurs due to the locking, the positional shift of the electrical contact due to the shift can be kept small. Therefore, it is easy to realize a good electrical connection.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the engaging portion 24 is disposed at a position closer to the electrical contact 4 than the tube insertion port 8, it is easy to realize a good connection between the ink cartridge and the printer main body. In other words, the electrical contact 4 has a narrower movement allowable range in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) than the tube insertion port 8 in order to make a good connection between the ink cartridge and the printer body. That is, the electrical contact 4 is more severe with respect to the movement of the cartridge in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) than the tube insertion opening 8. On the other hand, when the engaging portion 24 and the locking portion 54 are engaged (at the time of locking), movement in the front-rear direction accompanying the movement of the housing 2 in the θx direction around the engaging portion 24 can occur. It may be. Accordingly, the amount of movement of the housing 2 in the front-rear direction accompanying the movement of the housing 2 in the θx direction with the engaging portion 24 as the rotation center is smaller at the electrical contact 4 than at the tube insertion port 8. It is preferable to set the arrangement relationship of the engaging portion 24, the tube insertion opening 8, and the electrical contact 4. For this purpose, it is a preferable example that the engaging portion 24 is disposed on the upper surface 2a of the housing 2 so that the engaging portion 24 is positioned closer to the electrical contact 4 than the tube insertion port 8.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the engaging portion 24 is provided at a position closer to the front surface 2 c than the back surface 2 d in the longitudinal direction (depth direction) of the upper surface 2 a of the housing 2. By disposing the engaging portion 24 at a position close to the electrical contact 4, the length tolerance in the Y-axis direction between the engaging portion 24 and the electrical contact 4 can be reduced, and the engaging portion 24 when the cartridge is mounted. The positional tolerance in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) of the electrical contact 4 with respect to can be kept small. If the positional tolerance in the front-rear direction is small, the movable amount (stroke) of the electrode terminal 55 in the front-rear direction can be designed to be small.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the position regulating surface 10 provided near the front surface and the bottom surface of the left surface 2 e and the right surface 2 f of the housing 2 is shown in FIG. 8 when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the mounting portion 33. 9 is a contact surface that contacts the positioning wall 56 of the mounting portion 33 shown in FIG. The left and right position restricting surfaces 10 function as position restricting means that abut against the positioning wall 56 and restrict movement in the X-axis direction and the θy direction. The ink cartridge of the present embodiment is provided with the position regulating surface 10 on the left surface 2e and the right surface 2f, but is not limited to this. For example, two grooves may be formed in the vicinity of the front surface of the bottom surface 2b along the Y-axis direction, and the side surfaces of the two grooves may be used as the position restricting surface 10. In short, the position restricting surface 10 may be a surface in which the vicinity of the bottom surface of the ink cartridge is in contact with the positioning wall 56 and restricts movement in the X axis direction and the θy direction.

(Ink storage room)
Next, the internal configuration of the ink cartridge will be described focusing on the configuration of the ink storage chamber. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the ink cartridge of FIG. The housing 2 includes a first housing member 40 including a top surface 2a, a bottom surface 2b, a front surface 2c, a back surface 2d, and a left surface 2e, and a second housing member 41 including a right surface 2f. The second housing member 41 functions as a lid member that closes the opening of the first housing member 40. The ink storage chamber 11 includes an inner wall formed by the first housing member 40 and a flexible member 12 (flexible sheet) welded to the inner wall edge of the first housing member 40. This is a room for storing ink in the space.

  The seal member unit 20 is a member that is fitted into the tube insertion path 22 provided in the first housing member 40. The seal member unit 20 includes a cylindrical seal member 19 having a slit that can be opened and closed at one end and an opening at the other end, and an exterior 21 integrated with the outer peripheral surface of the seal member 19. When the seal member unit 20 is inserted into the tube insertion path 22, the opening at the other end constitutes the tube insertion port 8.

  Inside the ink storage chamber 11, a negative pressure generating spring 13 as a negative pressure generating member and a plate member 14 that is slightly smaller than the inner wall circumference of the first housing member 40 are arranged. One end of the negative pressure generating spring 13 is engaged with the inner wall of the left surface 2e of the first housing member 40, and the other end of the negative pressure generating spring 13 is engaged with the plate member 14. The negative pressure generation spring 13 biases the flexible member 12 through the plate member 14 in the direction in which the ink storage chamber expands, thereby maintaining the ink storage chamber in a certain negative pressure range. When the ink in the ink storage chamber decreases due to the ink supply to the outside of the ink storage chamber 11, the negative pressure in the ink storage chamber 11 tends to increase, but the negative pressure generating spring 13 contracts, and the plate member 14 becomes ink accordingly. An increase in negative pressure is suppressed by moving in the direction of reducing the internal volume of the storage chamber 11.

  A space (non-ink storage space) between the ink storage chamber 11 and the second housing member 41 is a communication path (not shown) provided on the rear wall of the ink cartridge 1 and the atmospheric opening 26 (see FIG. 6). Via the outside of the ink cartridge 1. Specifically, a meandering groove (not shown) is provided on the rear wall of the ink cartridge 1, one end of the groove communicates with the non-ink storage space and the other end communicates with the air opening 26. ing. A label 25 (see FIG. 6) is attached so as to cover the meandering groove, and the groove covered with the label 25 functions as a communication path that connects the non-ink storage space and the atmospheric opening 26. . Therefore, when the plate member 14 tries to move in the direction of reducing the internal volume of the ink storage chamber 11, the atmosphere opening 26 is formed in the space (non-ink storage space) between the ink storage chamber 11 and the second housing member 41. The air is taken in through a communication path (not shown).

  As the plate member 14 is moved as described above, ink is supplied. However, when the ink consumption further progresses and the negative pressure in the ink storage chamber 11 reaches the meniscus force of the filter 15, as described above, Air is introduced into the ink storage chamber 11 from the communication path 16 through the filter 15. Thereafter, since the atmosphere is introduced into the ink storage chamber from the atmosphere communication passage 16 by the amount of ink supplied, the negative pressure in the ink storage chamber is maintained within a certain range, and the negative pressure increases more than necessary. Absent. In this way, almost all the ink in the ink storage chamber can be used up by allowing the air to enter the ink storage chamber from the middle of the ink supply.

<Injection of ink>
In the present embodiment, the method for injecting ink into the ink cartridge 1 is not particularly limited. For example, an empty ink cartridge (excluding the tube insertion port sealing film 18) as shown in FIG. 4 is prepared, and then ink can be injected from the tube insertion port 8. Then, after the ink is injected, the tube insertion port sealing film 18 is attached to the front surface 2 c of the housing 2.

  In addition, as described above, when the atmosphere communication port sealing film 17 is configured as a separate component from the flexible member 12, for example, an ink cartridge can be manufactured by the following procedure. First, an empty ink cartridge as shown in FIG. 4 (however, excluding the atmosphere communication port sealing film 17 and the tube insertion port sealing film 18) is prepared. Specifically, (i) the ink storage chamber 11, (ii) the atmosphere communication passage 16 capable of introducing the atmosphere into the ink storage chamber 11, and (iii) the through hole 27 into which the unsealing pin 51 can be inserted are formed. A through hole forming wall (front wall 2c) and (iv) an air communication port 7 located between the through hole forming wall (front wall) and the ink storage chamber 11 and located at the end of the air communication path 16 are formed. A housing 2 having an atmosphere communication port forming wall is prepared. Next, the atmosphere communication port sealing film 17 that can be opened by the opening pin 51 that has passed through the through hole 27 is pasted so as to cover the air communication port 17. Next, ink is injected, and finally, a tube insertion port sealing film 18 that can be opened by the ink receiving tube 52 is attached to the front surface 2 c of the housing 2. In this manner, the ink cartridge 1 can be manufactured.

<Cartridge mounting unit>
Next, the configuration of the cartridge mounting unit (head unit) 38 to which the ink cartridge 1 can be attached and detached will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state before the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the mounting portion 33 of the cartridge mounting unit 38 shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a mounting completion state in which the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the mounting portion 33 of the cartridge mounting unit 38 shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge mounting unit 38. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the connection relationship between the ink cartridge 1 and a joint unit (hereinafter also referred to as “main body side connection unit”) 59 extracted from the cartridge mounting unit 38 of FIG. FIG. 9 shows a joint unit corresponding to two color ink cartridges.

  As described above, the cartridge mounting unit (head unit) 38 is formed by integrating the ink jet head 32 and the cartridge mounting portion 33, and is configured to be detachably mounted on the carriage 31 of FIG. Yes. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the mounting portion 33 is mainly configured by a frame 49 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having an opening on the front surface and a joint unit 59 disposed on the back side of the frame. Each ink cartridge 1 is accommodated in the internal space of the frame 49. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the four ink cartridges 1 </ b> C, 1 </ b> Bk, 1 </ b> M, and 1 </ b> Y are accommodated along the X-axis direction. Further, since the black ink cartridge 1Bk is wider than the other color ink cartridges 1C, 1M, and 1Y, the black ink cartridge mounting area is configured to be wider than the color ink cartridge mounting area.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the ink cartridge 1 is mounted (inserted) along the Y-axis direction orthogonal to the carriage movement direction (X-axis direction). A white arrow in FIG. 6 indicates the mounting direction (insertion direction) of the ink cartridge, and the opposite is the removal direction (removal direction) of the ink cartridge. In this embodiment, the cartridge mounting direction (Y-axis direction) is a direction that intersects the gravity direction (vertical direction), and in this example, has an inclination of about 5 ° with respect to the horizontal plane that intersects the gravity direction. It is almost horizontal, not completely horizontal.

  As shown in FIGS. 6, 8, and 9, the mounting portion 33 is provided with a joint unit 59 having a printer main body side interface portion. The joint unit 59 has a cylindrical opening pin 51 with a pointed tip on a standing surface that can face the front surface 2c of the ink cartridge, an ink receiving tube 52 that is a tapered columnar shape and a hollow needle having an opening at the tip, It has a tapered columnar positioning pin 53, an electrode terminal 55, a positioning wall 56, an eject spring 57, a convex-shaped identification member 60, and the like. The opening pin 51, the ink receiving tube 52, the positioning pin 53, and the identification member 60 extend along the Y-axis direction, and the eject spring 57 is configured to be extendable and contractable along the Y-axis direction.

  The opening pin 51 is an opening member that breaks through the air communication port sealing film 17 and opens the air communication port sealing film 17 when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted. In the present embodiment, the opening pin 51 is first inserted into the through hole 27, and the opening pin 51 that has passed through the through hole 27 opens the atmosphere communication port sealing film 17 and is inserted into the atmosphere communication port 7.

  The ink receiving needle as the ink receiving tube 52 breaks through the tube insertion port sealing film 18 to open the tube insertion port sealing film 18 and is inserted into the tube insertion port 8 to connect to the tube insertion path 22. An ink receiving member that receives ink from the insertion path 22. The ink receiving tube 52 communicates with the ink jet head 32 and supplies the ink received from the tube insertion path 22 to the ink jet head 32. That is, the ink receiving tube 52 functions as an ink supply tube for supplying ink to the inkjet head 32. Here, as the ink receiving tube 52, a tapered columnar hollow needle having an opening at the tip is illustrated, but the shape is not limited to this, and the ink cartridge 1 is inserted into the tube insertion port 8 and inserted. Any hollow member having an opening capable of receiving ink from the substrate may be used. The position of the opening does not necessarily need to be the tip, and it does not have to be a tapered cylindrical shape.

  The positioning pin 53 is inserted into the positioning portion 6 and engaged (for example, fitted) with the positioning portion 6, whereby a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction of the ink cartridge 1 (for example, the X-axis direction that is a direction along the front surface 2 c). And a position restricting member for restricting movement of the housing 2 in the Z-axis direction).

  The electrode terminals 55 are electrical connection portions (main body side electrical contacts) that can be electrically connected to the electrode pads 4, and the number corresponding to the number of electrode pads 4 is provided. In the present embodiment, five electrical connection portions (electrode terminals) 55 are provided corresponding to the five electrode pads 4, but the number of electrode pads 4 and electrical connection portions (electrode terminals) 55 is five. It is not limited to. A plurality of electrical connection portions (electrode terminals) 55 may be provided corresponding to the plurality of electrode pads 4. The plurality of electrical connection portions (electrode terminals) 55 are electrically connected to the control portion 35 of the printer main body 30.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the plurality of electrical connection portions (electrode terminals) 55 are provided in the electrical connection unit 47. The electrical connection unit 47 includes a plurality of electrical connection portions 55, a support member 46 that supports the plurality of electrical connection portions 55, and a biasing spring (not shown) that biases the support member 46 in the cartridge removal direction. . The electrical connection unit 47 constitutes a part of the joint unit 59. The electrical connection portion 55 disposed on the upper portion of the joint unit 59 is disposed at a position that can face the electrode pad 4 along the Y-axis direction. Further, the electrical connecting portion 55 is configured to be movable along the Y-axis direction in conjunction with expansion and contraction of a biasing spring (not shown). Specifically, in a state where the electrical connection portion 55 is not in contact with the electrode pad 4, the electrical connection portion 55 is located at the first position in the Y-axis direction. In the ink cartridge mounting operation, when the ink cartridge moves in the cartridge mounting direction (Y-axis direction), the electrode pad 4 of the ink cartridge comes into contact with the electrical connection portion 55 at the first position. Thereafter, as the ink cartridge is further pushed into the back side of the mounting portion, the electrical connection portion 55 maintains a contact state with the electrode pad 4 and the second position on the back side of the mounting portion from the first position. Move to position. In consideration of manufacturing errors and the like, the electrical connection portion 55 is configured to be movable to a third position further on the back side of the mounting portion than the second position. On the other hand, when the ink cartridge is removed, the electrical connection portion 55 returns from the second position to the first position along the Y-axis direction as the ink cartridge moves in the removal direction, contrary to the attachment. As described above, since the electrical connection portion 55 is configured to be movable, it is possible to prevent the contact pressure with the electrode pad 4 from becoming excessively high, and damage or failure of the electrode pad 4 or the electrical connection portion 55 can be prevented. Can be suppressed.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the positioning wall 56 is in contact with the position restricting surface 10 at the lower right end and the lower left end of the ink cartridge 1 to restrict the movement of the ink cartridge in the X-axis direction and the θy direction. It is a regulating member. Since the two positioning walls 56 sandwich the two position restricting surfaces 10 from the left and right sides of the ink cartridge 1, positional displacement in the X-axis direction and the θy direction is suppressed in the vicinity of the bottom surface of the ink cartridge.

  In order to remove the ink cartridge 1 from the mounting portion 33, the eject spring 57 abuts against the eject spring abutting portion 23 on the front surface 2c of the ink cartridge and elastically urges the ink cartridge 1 in the cartridge removing direction. It is. The eject spring 57 is a coil spring that is erected so as to surround the opening pin 51 and can expand and contract in the Y-axis direction. The eject spring 57 is in an extended state when not in contact with the ink cartridge, and is compressed as the ink cartridge is mounted. When the cartridge is removed, the ink cartridge 1 is moved in the cartridge removal direction by extension of the eject spring 57. By this movement, the connection state between the electrical contact 4 and the electrical connection portion 55, the communication state between the ink storage chamber 11 and the ink receiving tube 52, the engagement state (connection state) between the positioning portion 6 and the positioning pin 53, the tube insertion The connection state between the port 8 and the ink receiving tube 52 (inserted state in which the ink receiving tube 52 is inserted into the tube insertion port 8) is released, whereby the ink cartridge becomes removable.

  Here, as an action of the eject spring 57, in addition to moving the ink cartridge in the removal direction in accordance with the release of the engagement state between the engagement portion 24 and the locking portion 54, (1) the electrical contact 4 And (2) a communication state between the ink storage chamber 11 and the ink receiving tube 52, and (3) an engagement (fitting) state between the positioning portion 6 and the positioning pin 53 (positioning portion 6). (In the insertion state in which the positioning pin 53 is inserted in the above), and (4) to cancel the insertion state in which the ink receiving tube 52 is inserted into the tube insertion port 8, it is not essential to cancel these states. . For example, even if a part of the ink receiving pipe 52 is inserted in the pipe insertion path 22 or a part of the positioning pin 53 is inserted in the positioning portion 6, the ink cartridge can be removed. As long as the ink cartridge moves in the removal direction, the user can easily remove the ink cartridge. The eject spring 57 may be configured so that an urging force for moving the ink cartridge in the removal direction can be applied to the ink cartridge. Therefore, the force receiving portion 23 that receives the urging force from the eject spring 57 is a force that urges the ink cartridge 1 in the removal direction in order to release the connection state, the communication state, the engagement (fitting) state, and the insertion state. Is preferably received from the eject spring 57, but is not limited to this, as long as it can receive a force to move the ink cartridge in the removal direction.

  The identification member 60 is a convex-shaped portion that can be engaged (for example, fitted) with a concave portion that is the identification portion 9 of the ink cartridge. The position of the convex portion is different for each mounting portion, and it is configured such that mounting other than the ink cartridge of the corresponding color is impossible. That is, the identification member 60 is engaged (eg, fitted) only with the identification unit 9 of the corresponding color ink cartridge, and is not engaged (eg, fitted) with the identification unit 9 of the non-corresponding color ink cartridge. It has become.

  The opening pin 51, the ink receiving tube 52, the positioning pin 53, the electrode terminal 55, the positioning wall 56, the eject spring 57, and the identification member 60 described above are arranged in the positional relationship shown in FIGS. That is, the positioning wall 56, the ink receiving tube 52, the eject spring 57, the positioning pin 53, and the electrode terminal 55 are arranged in this order from the bottom to the top. Further, since the unsealing pin 51 is disposed inside the eject spring 57, it is disposed below the positioning pin 53 and above the ink receiving tube 52. Further, the identification member 60 is disposed at a position above the ink receiving tube 52 and below the electrode terminal 55.

  6 and 8, the mounting portion 33 of the cartridge mounting unit 38 is provided with a frame 49 that forms an internal space into which the ink cartridge 1 is inserted, in addition to the joint unit 59 described above. . The frame 49 is provided with a plate 48 for partitioning the space in the frame and a locking lever 58 as a lock mechanism for fixing the ink cartridge 1 to the mounting portion 33. The frame 49 and the plate 48 function as a mounting guide 50 that regulates the posture when the ink cartridge is mounted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of plates 48 that partition the internal space are provided on the upper wall and the bottom wall of the frame 49. The ink cartridge 1 is accommodated in each of the four spaces partitioned by the plate 48. The plate 48 is a plate extending from the back side of the frame 49 to the front side. Each plate 48 is arranged in parallel in the X-axis direction at a predetermined interval. The interval between adjacent plates corresponds to the width of the ink cartridge 1 to be accommodated in the interval. The mounting guide 50 is constituted by the plate 48 and the bottom wall, top wall, and side wall of the frame 49, and the mounting guide 50 regulates the posture of the ink cartridge during the mounting operation.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the locking lever 58 extends from the front side to the back side of the mounting guide 50, and a support shaft 78 is provided near the center in the extending direction. The support shaft 78 is rotatably supported by an upper mounting guide 50 formed by the upper wall of the frame 49, and the locking lever 58 is configured to be rotatable about the support shaft 78. A locking projection as a locking portion 54 that can be engaged with the engaging portion 24 of the ink cartridge 1 is provided at the end on the far side of the locking lever 58. A push-up spring (not shown) is provided between the lower surface portion of the locking lever 58 located on the opposite side of the locking projection 54 with the support shaft 78 interposed therebetween and the upper mounting guide 50. This push-up spring pushes the locking lever 58 in a direction to push up the locking lever portion on the opposite side of the locking projection 54 across the support shaft 78 so that the locking projection 54 is located in the inner space of the frame. Energized. When no external force is applied to the locking lever 58, a part of the lower surface of the locking lever 58 between the support shaft 78 and the locking projection 54 is in contact with the end of the upper mounting guide 50. The rotation of the lever 58 is held in a stopped state. In this posture, the locking protrusion 54 is in a position (first position) where it can come into contact with the engaging portion 24 of the ink cartridge 1 inserted into the mounting portion 33. When the ink cartridge 1 is inserted, the locking projection 54 comes into contact with the ink cartridge 1, so that the locking lever 58 rotates against the push-up force of the push-up spring. Move to a second position above the position. In the second position, the locking protrusion 54 is in contact with the upper surface 2 a of the ink cartridge 1. Thereafter, when the ink cartridge 1 is further inserted into the rear side and the concave engaging portion (engaging concave portion) 24 moves to a position where it can come into contact with the locking projection 54, the locking projection 54 is pushed up. It moves to a 1st position with the pushing-up force, and it engages with the side surface 24a of the engagement recessed part 24. FIG. Accordingly, the ink cartridge 1 is fixed to the mounting portion 33 against the urging force of the eject spring 57 and held at the mounting completion position. In the engaged state of the locking projection 54 and the engaging recess 24, the connection state between the electrical contact 4 and the electrical connecting portion 55 against the biasing force of the eject spring 57, the ink storage chamber 11 and the ink receiving tube 52 And the engagement state (for example, the fitting state) between the positioning portion 6 and the positioning pin 53 are maintained.

  On the other hand, when removing the ink cartridge 1 from the mounting portion 33, the user moves the locking lever 58 to release the engagement state between the locking protrusion 54 of the locking lever 58 and the engaging portion 24 of the ink cartridge 1. To do. When the engaged state is released, the ink cartridge 1 is moved in the removal direction by the urging force of the eject spring 57, whereby the ink cartridge becomes removable.

<Ink cartridge loading and unloading operations>
10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a process in which the ink cartridge 1 is mounted (inserted) in the mounting portion 33. FIG. 10A illustrates an initial insertion state (mounting initial state), and FIG. 10B illustrates an insertion completed state (mounting). Completed state).

  As shown in FIG. 10A, the ink cartridge 1 is inserted along the inner side of the mounting guide 50 at the initial stage of the mounting operation. When the ink cartridge 1 comes into contact with the eject spring 57, the urging force of the eject spring 57 is applied to the ink cartridge 1 thereafter. Therefore, when the operation is stopped before the mounting is completed, the ink cartridge 1 is pushed back.

  If the ink cartridge 1 is further inserted in a state of being in contact with the eject spring 57, then whether or not the concave portion of the identification portion 9 of the ink cartridge 1 matches the convex portion of the identification member 60 of the mounting portion 33 is determined. Is confirmed. When the correspondence (corresponding color) between the ink cartridge 1 and the mounting position is correct, the concave portion of the identification portion 9 and the convex portion of the identification member 60 are fitted (fitted). I can push it in. On the other hand, when the correspondence (corresponding color) between the ink cartridge 1 and the mounting position is wrong, the concave portion of the identification portion 9 and the convex portion of the identification member 60 do not fit (fit), and the ink cartridge 1 Cannot be pushed any further. At this time, the atmosphere communication port sealing film 17 and the tube insertion port sealing film 18 have not been opened yet. Therefore, when the ink cartridge is inserted in the wrong mounting position, the atmosphere communication port sealing film 17 and the tube insertion port sealing film 18 need not be opened.

  When the identification unit 9 and the identification member 60 are fitted (fitted) and the ink cartridge 1 is further inserted, the tube insertion port sealing film 18 is then opened by the tip of the ink receiving tube 52, and the tube An ink receiving tube 52 is inserted into the insertion port 8. Next, the positioning pin 53 is inserted into the positioning portion 6 and the two position restricting surfaces 10 are sandwiched between the two positioning walls 56, thereby suppressing subsequent positional deviation. The two position restricting surfaces 10 restrict the position of two locations near the bottom surface, and the position of the positioning portion 6 above the two position restricting surfaces 10 restricts one location, so that the front surface (XZ Movement in the direction (X-axis direction, Z-axis direction) and θy direction along the plane 2c is generally restricted.

  Next, the air communication port sealing film 17 is opened by the opening pin 51 inserted into the through-hole 27, and the opening pin 51 is inserted into the air communication port 7. Next, the ink receiving tube 52 is inserted into the slit of the seal member 19 provided in the tube insertion path 22, whereby the ink storage chamber 11 and the ink receiving tube 52 communicate with each other. Next, the electrical contact 4 comes into contact with the electrical connection portion 55.

  Finally, when the ink cartridge is pushed to a position where the engaging portion 24 engages with the locking protrusion 54, the ink cartridge 1 is fixed and the mounting is completed as shown in FIG. The position shown in FIG. 10B is the mounting completion position.

  On the other hand, as described above, when the ink cartridge 1 is removed from the mounting portion 33, the engagement lever 58 is rotated to release the engagement state between the engagement protrusion 54 and the engagement portion 24. When the engaged state is released, the ink cartridge 1 is pushed back to the position shown in FIG. 10A by the urging force of the eject spring 57.

  Note that the connection order between the ink cartridge and the printer main body described with reference to FIG. 10 is merely a preferred example applicable in the present embodiment, and the present embodiment has a configuration of the ink cartridge that realizes the connection order described above. It is not limited. Even an ink cartridge that realizes a connection order different from the above connection order can be applied in the present embodiment.

<Arrangement of cartridge side interface>
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the electrical contact 4 is disposed at a position above the tube insertion port 8, that is, at a position closer to the upper surface 2a than the tube insertion port 8 in the cartridge height direction. Yes. According to this arrangement, even when ink leaks from the tube insertion port 8, it is possible to suppress ink from coming into contact with the electrical contact 4. If the vertical relationship between the tube insertion port 8 and the electrical contact 4 is the reverse of this example, that is, if the tube insertion port 8 is disposed above the electrical contact 4, the ink receiving tube 52 on the printer main body side is also It is located above the electrical connection portion 55. Then, the ink dripping from the ink receiving tube 52 may come into contact with the electrical connection portion 55c, and the ink may be transferred to the electrical contact 4. However, in this example, such a problem does not occur.

  In the present embodiment, since the electrical contact 4 is provided on a surface that intersects the cartridge insertion direction (XZ surface orthogonal to the Y-axis direction in the example of FIG. 2), the surface parallel to the cartridge insertion direction (right surface, Compared to the configuration in which the electrical contacts 4 are arranged on the left surface, top surface, or bottom surface, the amount of friction between the electrode terminal 55 and the electrical contacts 4 can be reduced. For this reason, the demerit which may arise when the electrode terminal 55 rubs on the electrical contact 4 largely can be suppressed. For example, in the configuration in which the electrical contacts 4 are arranged on a surface parallel to the cartridge insertion direction, the electrode terminals 55 rub against the electrical contacts 4 relatively large. For this reason, if the ink cartridge is repeatedly mounted and removed, the electrode terminal 55 may be worn out and affect the electrical connection. However, in this embodiment, since the electrode terminal 55 rubs on the electrical contact 4 less, it is easy to suppress wear of the electrode terminal and a decrease in reliability of electrical connection resulting therefrom.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, an engagement portion 24 as a lock portion for fixing the ink cartridge 1 to the cartridge mounting portion 33 is provided on the upper surface 2 a of the housing 2. It has been. In the present configuration in which the engaging portion 24 is provided on the upper surface 2a of the housing 2, the distance between the engaging portion 24 and the electrical contact 4 can be reduced as compared with the configuration in which the engaging portion is provided on the bottom surface of the housing. Even if a positional deviation centered on the engaging portion 24 occurs due to the locking, the positional deviation of the electrical contact due to the deviation can be suppressed small. Therefore, it is easy to realize a good electrical connection.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the engaging portion 24 is disposed at a position closer to the electrical contact 4 than the tube insertion port 8, it is easy to realize a good connection between the ink cartridge and the printer main body. In other words, the electrical contact 4 has a narrower movement allowable range in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) than the tube insertion port 8 for good connection between the cartridge and the printer body. That is, the electrical contact 4 is more severe with respect to the movement of the cartridge in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) than the tube insertion opening 8. On the other hand, when the engaging portion 24 and the locking portion 54 are engaged (at the time of locking), movement in the front-rear direction accompanying movement in the θx direction with the engaging portion 24 as the rotation center may occur. Accordingly, the amount of movement of the housing 2 in the front-rear direction accompanying the movement of the housing 2 in the θx direction with the engaging portion 24 as the rotation center is smaller at the electrical contact 4 than at the tube insertion port 8. It is preferable to set the arrangement relationship of the engaging portion 24, the tube insertion opening 8, and the electrical contact 4. For this purpose, it is preferable to dispose the engaging portion 24 on the upper surface 2 a and thereby position the engaging portion 24 closer to the electrical contact 4 than to the tube insertion port 8. If the engaging portion is provided on the bottom surface as in Patent Document 1, the engaging portion is not located closer to the electrical contact than the tube insertion opening, and thus the above-described merit cannot be obtained.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the engaging portion 24 is provided at a position closer to the front surface 2 c than the back surface 2 d in the depth direction of the upper surface 2 a. By disposing the engaging portion 24 on the front surface side of the upper surface 2a, the engaging portion 24 can be disposed closer to the electrical contact 4 than in the form in which the engaging portion 24 is disposed on the back surface side of the upper surface 2a. By disposing the engaging portion 24 at a position close to the electrical contact 4, the length tolerance in the Y-axis direction between the engaging portion 24 of the ink cartridge and the electrical contact 4 can be reduced, and the engagement at the time of cartridge mounting is reduced. A positional tolerance in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) of the electrical contact 4 with respect to the joint portion 24 can be suppressed to a small value. If the positional tolerance in the front-rear direction is small, the movable amount (stroke) of the electrode terminal 55 in the front-rear direction can be designed to be small.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of electrode pads 4 are arranged along the horizontal direction (cartridge width direction, X-axis direction) on a plane (preferably XZ plane) that intersects the cartridge mounting direction (Y-axis direction). Is arranged. As described above, when the ink cartridge is mounted, the direction along the front surface 2c (X-axis direction, Z-axis direction, etc.) and θy are determined by the position regulating surface 10 in the vicinity of the bottom surface and the positioning portion 6 located above it. Movement in the direction is restricted. However, the movement in the θx direction can occur to some extent. When the movement in the θx direction occurs, the lower end side of the substrate 3 is farther from the electrical connection portion 55 in the Y-axis direction than the upper end side. That is, the shift amount on the lower end side of the substrate 3 is larger than the shift amount on the upper end side. Therefore, in the configuration in which the plurality of electrode pads are arranged along the cartridge height direction (Z-axis direction), the amount of deviation from the electrode terminal 55 differs greatly for each electrode pad, and the contact pressure varies accordingly. It may be difficult to ensure an electrical connection. If the overall design is made in accordance with the contact pressure between the electrode pad on the upper end side of the substrate and the electrode terminal 55 on the main body side, the contact pressure between the electrode pad on the lower end side and the electrode terminal on the main body side may become too low. possible. Conversely, if the overall design is made to match the contact pressure between the electrode pad on the lower end side of the substrate and the electrode terminal on the main body side, the contact pressure between the electrode pad on the upper end side and the electrode terminal on the main body side may become too high. possible. Moreover, if the electrode terminals on the main body side are individually designed for each of the plurality of electrode pads, the individual parts become individual parts, leading to an increase in cost and design load. On the other hand, in this embodiment in which a plurality of electrode pads are arranged along the horizontal direction (cartridge width direction, X-axis direction), even when movement in the θx direction occurs, the displacement from the electrode terminal 55 occurs. Since the amount does not vary greatly between the electrode pads, the above disadvantages are unlikely to occur.

  Further, in the present configuration in which movement in the θx direction can occur, positional displacement in the Z-axis direction can occur. In this case, it is necessary to set the size of the electrode pad in consideration of the positional deviation in the Z-axis direction. If a configuration in which a plurality of electrode pads are arranged along the Z-axis direction is employed, the substrate size in the Z-axis direction becomes relatively large due to the influence of the size of the electrode pads. When the size of the electrode pad or the substrate is large, there is a high possibility that ink or dust that causes a failure of the substrate adheres, and the possibility that the user touches the substrate is increased. Moreover, it also increases the cost. Compared to a configuration in which such a plurality of electrode pads are arranged along the Z-axis direction, the substrate size in the Z-axis direction can be reduced in this embodiment.

  Furthermore, the configuration of the present embodiment in which the plurality of electrical contacts 4 are arranged in the horizontal direction (cartridge width direction, X-axis direction) is compared to the configuration in which the electrical contacts are arranged in the cartridge height direction (Z-axis direction). Even if the ink or liquid adhering to the electric connecting portion 55 on the main body side adheres to the electric contact 4 of the ink cartridge, the ink or liquid bridges between the electric contacts and the electric contacts are There is a low possibility of a malfunction that would cause conduction.

  For example, when an empty cartridge that has been emptied due to ink consumption is removed and a new cartridge is mounted, the user may accidentally remount the empty cartridge. If a user overflows the empty cartridge once the empty cartridge is removed, the liquid or ink may adhere to the electrical contacts of the empty cartridge. Then, the liquid or ink may be transferred to the electrical connection portion 55 on the main body side when the empty cartridge to which the liquid or ink is attached is remounted. Thereafter, when a new cartridge is mounted, there is a possibility that a liquid or ink attached to the electrical connection portion 55 on the main body side adheres to the electrical contact 4 of the new cartridge.

  As another case, in an ink jet printer that can perform printing under conditions where a large amount of ink mist is generated, the ink mist floating in the printer main body is not There is a possibility of adhering to the electrical connection 55. Then, when a new ink cartridge is mounted on the printer main body, the ink mist adhering to the electrical connection portion 55 on the printer main body side may be transferred to the electrical contact 4 of the cartridge. There may also be a situation where the ink transfer amount becomes large.

  If the above situation occurs, if a configuration in which a plurality of electrical contacts 4 are arranged in the cartridge height direction (Z-axis direction) is adopted, the liquid adhering to the upper electrical contact 4 is removed. It may happen that the electric contact 4 drops down to reach the lower electrical contact 4 and the upper electrical contact 4 and the lower electrical contact 4 become conductive. When conducting between electrical contacts, the electrical contacts may not function properly. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the electrical contacts 4 are arranged in the cartridge width direction (X-axis direction), there is a situation in which liquid adheres to the electrical contacts 4 and drops down. Even if it occurs, it is easier to reduce the possibility of conduction between the electrical contacts than in the configuration in which the electrical contacts 4 are arranged in the cartridge height direction (Z-axis direction).

  Moreover, in this embodiment, as FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show, the eject spring contact part 23 is arrange | positioned between the pipe insertion port 8 and the electrical contact 4 in the height direction of the front surface 2c. According to this arrangement, the eject spring abutting portion 23 disposed in the vicinity of the tube insertion port 8 receives a force from the eject spring 57, so that the ink receiving tube 52 is provided in the annular shape provided in the tube insertion path 22. It is easy to come off the seal member 19 made of a rubber member. In this embodiment, the tube insertion path 22 is provided with a seal member 19 formed of an annular rubber member. When the ink receiving pipe 52 is inserted into the pipe insertion path 22, the ink receiving pipe 52 is sealed. The member 19 is in pressure contact. Therefore, the pressure contact state between the ink receiving tube 52 and the seal member 19 is less likely to be released compared to other interface units. In order to smoothly release the pressure contact state between the ink receiving tube 52 and the seal member 19, it is preferable to dispose the eject spring contact portion 23 near the tube insertion port 8.

  In the present embodiment, the eject spring contact portion 23 is disposed between the tube insertion port 8 and the electrical contact 4, more specifically, between the tube insertion port 8 and the positioning unit 6. The spring contact portion 23 is not far from the tube insertion port 8, the electrical contact 4, and the positioning portion 6. Accordingly, not only the pressure contact state between the ink receiving tube 52 and the seal member 19 but also the engagement between the positioning portion 6 and the positioning pin 53 and the connection between the electrical contact 4 and the electrical connection portion 55 are smoothly released. Easy to break.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the electrical contact 4 is disposed on the same front surface 2C as the positioning portion 6 and the tube insertion port 8, and therefore, when the cartridge is mounted, The positional deviation in the in-plane direction on the front surface 2c can be suppressed small.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the positioning portion 6 is located between the tube insertion port 8 and the electrical contact 4, more specifically, at a position closer to the electrical contact 4 than the tube insertion port 8. Has been placed. The electrical contact 4 is required to have the highest positioning accuracy in the cartridge-side interface, and the electrical contact 4 is required to have a positioning accuracy higher than the tube insertion port 8. On the other hand, it is the positioning unit 6 that positions the cartridge with high accuracy. Therefore, it is preferable to arrange the positioning portion 6 in the vicinity of the electrical contact 4. And in order to implement | achieve this, it is suitable to arrange | position the positioning part 6 in the position near the electrical contact 4 rather than the pipe insertion port 8. FIG. According to this arrangement, the electrical contact 4 can be positioned with high accuracy in accordance with the positioning accuracy of the positioning portion 6, and thus, an excellent electrical connection between the electrical contact 4 and the electrical connection portion 55 can be realized.

<Wide ink cartridge>
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an ink cartridge 1BK applicable in the first embodiment. The basic configuration of the black ink cartridge 1BK shown in FIG. 11 is almost the same as that of the color ink cartridge 1M (1C, 1Y) shown in FIG. For example, the height and depth of the cartridge are the same between the two, and the type, arrangement order, and arrangement width of the cartridge side interface units are also the same.

  The main difference between the black ink cartridge and the color ink cartridge is that the black ink cartridge is wider than the color ink cartridge and that the cartridge side interface section is close to one side (specifically, the right side) of the front surface. By bringing the cartridge side interface section to one side (specifically, the right side) of the front surface, the arrangement width of the cartridge side interface section can be made the same for black and color. Thereby, the size and schematic structure of the joint unit 59 can be made common between black and color.

<Modification of First Embodiment>
The configuration of the ink cartridge described above is merely an example applicable to the present embodiment, and the configuration of the present embodiment is not limited to this. In the present embodiment, various modifications can be made to the configuration of the ink cartridge described above. Hereinafter, some modified examples will be described.

(Arrangement of electrical contacts on the board)
The arrangement of the electrical contacts (electrode pads) on the substrate applicable in this embodiment is not limited to the arrangement shown in FIG. For example, in this embodiment, it is also possible to apply an electrode pad arrangement as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 12 is an example in which a plurality of electrode pads 61 and 71 are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction (horizontal direction) on the XZ plane, as in FIG. 3. 12A, the positions of the electrode pads 61 in the Z-axis direction are different between the pads. In FIG. 12B, the shape of the electrode pads 71 and the positions in the Z-axis direction are different between the pads. However, in both examples, as in FIG. 3, the contact positions 61a and 71a with the electrode terminal 55 are arranged in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction). For this reason, as in FIG. 3, even if movement in the θx direction occurs when the ink cartridge is mounted, good electrical connection between the electrode pad 4 and the electrode terminal 55 can be realized.

(Shape shape)
The shape of the housing (cartridge main body) 2 applicable in the present embodiment is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped shape as shown in FIG. Due to circumstances such as the internal function of the ink cartridge 1, the design of the exterior, the structure of the cartridge mounting portion 33, etc., uneven portions are formed on some or all of the plurality of surfaces (upper surface, bottom surface, and plural side surfaces) constituting the housing 2. It may be a form having at least one of a step part, a notch part, a curved part and an inclined part.

  For example, as shown to Fig.13 (a), the shape which has a curved part in a part of front surface 2c may be sufficient. In the example of FIG. 13 (a), the electrical contact 4 is located so as to protrude forward from the opening (positioning port) of the positioning portion 6, the through-hole 27, and the tube insertion port 8, and the positioning port 6 and Although the through-hole 27 is located in a part deeper than the tube insertion port 8, it is needless to say that such a form is also possible. In FIG. 13A, the substrate 3 is provided on the front surface 2c of the housing 2 as in FIG. Further, the example of FIG. 13A is a form in which a plurality of electrical contacts are arranged in a region on the substrate that intersects the cartridge mounting direction (cartridge depth direction), and this is also the same as FIG. As another example, as shown in FIG. 13 (b) and FIG. 13 (c), the front surface 2c may have a notch or recess, and the notch or recess The board | substrate 3 may be provided. In the example of FIG. 13, the substrate 3 is provided directly or indirectly via a support member on the front surface 2 c including the formation region of the tube insertion port 8, and the electrical contact 4 on the substrate is formed of the tube insertion port 8. It includes a region that intersects the direction parallel to the normal of the region.

(How to install the board)
The method of attaching the substrate 3 applicable in the present embodiment may be a form in which the substrate 3 is directly attached to the housing 2 as shown in FIG. 4, but is not limited thereto, and the substrate 3 is attached to the housing 2. It may be in a form that is attached to some via a member. As an example, a configuration in which the substrate 3 is attached to the substrate support member 81 and the substrate support member 81 is attached to the housing 2 is shown in FIGS. 13B and 13C. The housing 2 shown in FIG. 13B has a shape in which a corner portion of the housing is cut out. The substrate 3 is provided on the substrate support member 81 having a shape corresponding to the cutout portion, and the substrate support member 81 is engaged with the cutout portion to constitute an ink cartridge. As shown in FIG. 13B, the notch also forms the front surface 2c of the housing. The cutout portion is not located on the same plane as the front surface 2c on which the tube insertion port 8 and the like are disposed, but such a form may be employed. In FIG. 13B, the substrate 3 is provided on the front surface 2 c of the housing 2 although the substrate support member 81 is interposed. The housing 2 shown in FIG. 13C has a shape in which a part of the front surface side of the housing is hollowed out in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the substrate support member 81 provided with the substrate 3 is similar to FIG. 13B. The ink cartridge is configured by engaging the cut-out portion (recessed portion). As shown in FIG. 13C, the recess also constitutes the front surface 2c of the housing. And the board | substrate 3 is provided in the front surface 2c of the housing | casing 2 through the board | substrate support member 81 again. As described above, the substrate 3 may be directly connected to the housing 2 or may be indirectly connected via a member different from the housing 2. 13B and 13C, the substrate 3 is provided on the front surface 2c of the housing 2 as in FIG. In addition, the example of FIGS. 13B and 13C is a form in which a plurality of contacts are arranged in a region on the substrate that intersects the cartridge mounting direction (cartridge depth direction). It is the same.

(Electric contact arrangement surface)
Examples of arrangement as shown in FIGS. 2, 11, and 13, that is, an example in which the electrode pad 4 as an electrical contact is arranged on a plane (XZ plane) parallel to the front surface 2 c can be applied in this embodiment. This is merely a preferred example, and the surface on which the electrode pad 4 is disposed is not limited to the XZ plane.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the electrode pad 4 only needs to be disposed at a position where it can be connected to the electrode terminal 55 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Therefore, the electrode pad 4 as an electrical contact includes (1) a surface / region intersecting with the cartridge mounting direction, (2) a surface intersecting with the Y-axis direction, (3) a surface / region intersecting with the cartridge depth direction, ( 4) Surface / area intersecting with the direction parallel to the perpendicular of the forming surface / formation area of the tube insertion port (ink discharge port) 8, (5) Direction parallel to the extending direction of the tube insertion path (ink discharge path) 22 Or (6) a surface / region intersecting with a direction parallel to the center line of the tube insertion port (ink discharge port). (1) Surface / area intersecting the cartridge mounting direction, (2) Surface / area intersecting the Y-axis direction, (3) Surface / area intersecting the cartridge depth direction, (4) Pipe insertion port (ink discharge port) 8 surface / region intersecting with the direction parallel to the perpendicular of the formation surface / formation region, (5) surface / region intersecting with the direction parallel to the extending direction of the tube insertion path (ink discharge passage) 22, and ( 6) The plane / region intersecting with the direction parallel to the center line of the tube insertion opening (ink discharge opening) includes not only the XZ plane but also a plane inclined with respect to the XZ plane. In short, the electrical contact 4 includes (1) a region intersecting the cartridge mounting direction, (2) a region intersecting the Y-axis direction, (3) a region intersecting the cartridge depth direction, and (4) a tube insertion port (ink discharge port). ) A region intersecting with the direction parallel to the perpendicular of the forming surface of 8, (5) a region intersecting with the direction parallel to the extending direction of the tube insertion path (ink discharge passage) 22, or (6) a tube insertion port ( It is preferable to have a region that intersects the direction parallel to the center line of the ink discharge port.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, an ink cartridge according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the tube insertion path 22, the configuration of the atmosphere communication path 16, the position of the atmosphere communication port sealing film 17, and the connection portion between the atmosphere communication path 16 and the ink storage chamber 11 are mainly used. The configuration is only different from that of the first embodiment, and other configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in this 2nd Embodiment, about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment mentioned above, the description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

  14A and 14B are diagrams illustrating an internal configuration of an ink cartridge applicable in the second embodiment. FIG. 14A is a diagram of the ink cartridge viewed from the right side along the X-axis direction, and FIG. 14B is a diagram illustrating the ink cartridge. It is the figure seen from the back side along the Y-axis direction. FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams illustrating a process in which an ink cartridge applicable in the second embodiment is inserted into the mounting portion. FIG. 15A illustrates an initial insertion state, and FIG. 15B illustrates an insertion completion state. ing.

<Internal structure of ink cartridge>
(Configuration of pipe insertion path)
As shown in FIG. 14, the tube insertion port 8 is provided near the bottom surface of the front surface 2 c of the housing 2. The tube insertion port 8 is provided at one end of the tube insertion path 22, and the other end of the tube insertion path 22 is connected to the ink storage chamber 11. The tube insertion path 22 includes a seal member 74 made of an elastic body (for example, an annular rubber member), a valve 75 movable between a position contacting the seal member 74 and a position separating from the seal member 74, A spring 76 that biases the valve 75 toward the seal member 74 is provided. The outer peripheral surface of the seal member 74 is in close contact with the inner surface of the tube insertion path 22. In a state where the ink receiving tube 52 is not inserted into the tube insertion path 22, the valve 75 contacts the seal member 74 and the opening of the seal member 74 is sealed. Therefore, the tube insertion path 22 is blocked by the seal member 74 and the valve 75, and communication between the ink storage chamber 11 and the outside is also blocked. When the ink receiving tube 52 is inserted into the tube insertion path 22 through the tube insertion port 8, the valve 75 moves in the direction in which the spring 76 compresses, and the contact between the seal member 74 and the valve 75 is released. As a result, communication between the ink receiving tube 52 and the ink storage chamber 11 is ensured, and the inner peripheral surface of the seal member 74 abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the ink receiving tube 52 so that ink does not leak out. By inserting the ink receiving tube 52 into the tube insertion path 22 in this manner, the ink in the ink storage chamber 11 can be supplied to the ink receiving tube 52.

(Configuration of the connection between the atmosphere communication path and the ink storage chamber)
As shown in FIG. 14, an atmosphere communication port 7 is provided at one end of the atmosphere communication path 16, and the other end of the atmosphere communication path 16 is connected to the ink storage chamber 11. An air communication port sealing film 17 that seals the air communication port 7 is attached to the front surface 2 c corresponding to the outer wall surface of the housing 2, and is a separate component from the flexible member 12. An interlocking valve 77 that can be opened and closed in conjunction with the movement of the plate member 14 is provided at a connection portion between the atmosphere communication path 16 and the ink storage chamber 11. When the interlocking valve 77 is opened, the atmosphere communication path 16 and the ink storage chamber 11 communicate with each other. Specifically, when the amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 11 is equal to or greater than a certain amount, the interlocking valve 77 is closed as shown in FIG. 14B, and the ink storage chamber 11 is in the atmosphere communication path. No communication with 16. The plate member 14 is configured to move toward the left surface 2e as the ink is consumed. When the ink amount in the ink storage chamber 11 falls below a certain amount, the plate member 14 is depressed to interlock. Open valve 77. As a result, the ink storage chamber 11 and the atmosphere communication path 16 are in communication with each other. In the communication state, air is introduced into the ink storage chamber 11 through the air communication passage 16 by the amount of ink consumed from the ink storage chamber 11, so that the negative pressure in the ink storage chamber 11 does not become too high. Absent. Accordingly, there is no problem that it becomes difficult to supply ink from the ink storage chamber 11 to the outside due to the negative pressure in the ink storage chamber 11 becoming too high, and almost all of the ink in the ink storage chamber is discharged. All of them can be used up.

<Ink cartridge loading and unloading operations>
The mounting operation of the ink cartridge in this embodiment is as shown in FIG. 15, and is almost the same as the mounting operation in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, first, the ink cartridge 1 is inserted along the inside of the mounting guide 50 and abuts against the eject spring 57. When the ink cartridge 1 is further inserted in that state, it is next confirmed whether or not the concave portion of the identification portion 9 of the ink cartridge 1 matches the convex portion of the identification member 60 of the mounting portion 33. When matched (fitted), the ink cartridge 1 is further inserted into the back. When the ink cartridge 1 is further inserted, the tube insertion port sealing film 18 is opened by the tip of the ink receiving tube 52 and the ink receiving tube 52 is inserted into the tube insertion port 8. Next, the positioning pin 53 is inserted into the positioning portion 6, and then the atmosphere communication port sealing film 17 is opened by the opening pin 51 and the opening pin 51 is inserted into the atmosphere communication port 7. Next, the ink receiving tube 52 is inserted into the opening of the seal member 74 provided in the tube insertion path 22 and pushes the valve 75, whereby the ink storage chamber 11 and the ink receiving tube 52 communicate with each other. Next, the electrical contact 4 comes into contact with the electrical connecting portion 55, and finally, the engaging portion 24 engages with the locking projection 54 of the locking lever 58, and the mounting completion state shown in FIG. .

  As described above, the second embodiment also provides a cartridge-side interface unit that can realize a good connection with the printer body-side interface unit, as in the first embodiment.

<Modification of Second Embodiment>
In FIG. 14, the four configurations (the configuration of the tube insertion path, the configuration of the atmospheric communication passage, the position of the atmospheric communication port sealing film, and the configuration of the connection portion between the atmospheric communication passage and the ink storage chamber) are the first. Although different from the embodiment, the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, only the configuration of the tube insertion path 22 may be different from that of the first embodiment, or only the configuration of the connection portion between the atmosphere communication path 16 and the ink storage chamber 11 is different from that of the first embodiment. May be. In addition to this, a configuration in which at least one of the above four configurations (only one configuration, two configurations, three configurations) is replaced with that of the first embodiment is included in the present modification.

[Third Embodiment]
A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The ink cartridge 1801 according to the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the size of the housing, and the other main configurations are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment. Specifically, the ink cartridge 1801 according to the third embodiment is similar to the ink cartridge 1 according to the first embodiment, and includes cartridge side interfaces such as the tube insertion port 8, the electrical contact 4, the positioning portion 6, and the engaging portion 24. Department. The positional relationship of the cartridge side interface unit in the third embodiment is common to the positional relationship of the cartridge side interface unit in the first embodiment at least in the following points (1) to (4). (1) The tube insertion port 8 is provided at a position closer to the bottom surface than the top surface on the front surface of the housing. (2) The electrical contact 4 is provided at a position above the tube insertion port 8. (3) The positioning portion 6 is provided at a position above the tube insertion port 8 and below the electrical contact 4. (4) The engaging portion 24 is provided on the upper surface of the housing. In the following, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

<Configuration of ink cartridge>
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink cartridge 1801 applicable in the third embodiment, (a) is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of the ink cartridge 1801, and (b) an internal configuration of the ink cartridge 1801. FIG. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a connection relationship between the joint unit 59 extracted from the cartridge mounting unit and the ink cartridge 1801. As is apparent from FIG. 17, the joint unit 59 applicable in the third embodiment is the same as the joint unit 59 applicable in the first embodiment. Therefore, the structure, positional relationship, and size of the cartridge-side interface unit that can be connected to the joint unit 59 as the printer main body-side interface unit are not changed between the third embodiment and the first embodiment. Specifically, the structure, positional relationship, and size of the electrical contact 4, the positioning hole 6, the through-hole 27, the tube insertion port 8, and the identification unit 9 provided on the front surface 1802 c of the ink cartridge 1801 in the third embodiment are as follows. The structure, positional relationship, and size of the electrical contact 4, the positioning hole 6, the through-hole 27, the tube insertion port 8, and the identification unit 9 provided on the front surface 2 c of the ink cartridge 1 in the embodiment are the same. Therefore, even when both the ink cartridge 1 (see FIG. 9) in the first embodiment and the ink cartridge 1801 (FIG. 17) in the third embodiment are developed, the joint unit 59 as an interface unit on the printer main body side. Therefore, the cost of the joint unit 59 can be reduced. In addition, since the structure, positional relationship, size, etc. of the cartridge side interface parts such as the electrical contact 4, the positioning hole 6, the through hole 27, the tube insertion opening 8, and the identification part 9 can be made common, the design load of the ink cartridge is reduced. You can also.

  As apparent from FIGS. 16 and 17, the ink cartridge 1801 includes a rectangular parallelepiped housing 1802 having the ink storage chamber 11 therein. The housing 1802 includes an upper surface 1802a, a lower surface (bottom surface) 1802b, and a plurality of side surfaces 1802c to 1802f. The plurality of side surfaces are a front surface (front surface) 1802c which is a first side surface, a rear surface (back surface) 1802d which is a second side surface, a left surface 1802e which is a third side surface connecting the first side surface and the second side surface, a first side surface and a second side surface. It includes a right surface 1802f which is a fourth side surface connecting the side surfaces.

  The size of the housing 1802 is larger than the size of the housing 2 in the first embodiment. Specifically, the size (height) of the housing 1802 in the Z-axis direction is larger than the size (height) of the housing 2 in the Z-axis direction, and the size (depth) of the housing 1802 in the Y-axis direction. ) Is larger than the size (depth) of the housing 2 in the Y-axis direction. For example, as an example of the size of the housing 1802, the height is about 7.8 cm and the depth is about 9.5 cm, which is higher than the height of about 4.7 cm and the depth of about 8.4 cm of the housing 2 in the first embodiment. Has also become large. On the other hand, the size (width) of the housing 1802 in the X-axis direction is the same as the size (width) of the housing 2 in the X-axis direction, for example, about 1.6 cm in width. It should be noted that these specific numerical values are only suitable examples and are not limited to these.

The housing 1802 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped having six main surfaces. Among the six surfaces, the left surface 2e and the right surface 2f are surfaces having the maximum area, and the front surface (front surface) 2c and the rear surface (back surface) 2d are surfaces having the minimum area. The sizes of the six surfaces are such that the front surface 2c and the rear surface 2d <the upper surface 2a and the lower surface (bottom surface) 2b <the left surface 2e and the right surface 2f. The area of the left surface 2e and the right surface 2f is about 74.10 (= 7.8 × 9.5) cm ² . The area of the upper surface 2a and the lower surface 2b is about 15.20 (= 1.6 × 9.5) cm ² . The area of the front surface (front surface) 2c and the rear surface (back surface) 2d is about 12.48 (= 1.6 × 7.8) cm ² .

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the front surface 1802 c of the housing 1802 has a substrate 3 provided with electrical contacts 4, a positioning hole 6 as a positioning portion, a through-hole 27 as a penetrating portion, and a tube insertion portion. The tube insertion port 8 and the identification part 9 are provided. As described above, the positional relationship of the cartridge side interface unit is the same as that of the first embodiment. For example, the tube insertion port 8, the through port 27, the positioning hole 6, and the substrate 3 are arranged in this order from the bottom surface side to the top surface side. Is arranged in. However, in the ink cartridge 1801 in the third embodiment, unlike the ink cartridge 1 in the first embodiment, the electrical contact 4 is provided near the center of the front surface 1802c in the height direction. Specifically, the electrical contact 4 is provided slightly above the center of the front surface 1802c in the height direction. That is, the electrical contact 4 is provided at an upper portion (a portion above the center in the height direction) of the front surface 1802c and a position closer to the center than the upper surface. However, even with such an arrangement, the relative positional relationship among the tube insertion port 8, the electrical contact 4, and the engaging portion 24 is not different from that in the first embodiment. That is, even if the electrical contact 4 is provided near the center of the front surface 1802c, the point that the engaging portion 24 is provided closer to the electrical contact 4 than the tube insertion port 8 remains the same. The same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In the third embodiment, in order to dispose the engaging portion 24 closer to the electrical contact 4 than the tube insertion port 8, the engaging portion 24 is arranged on the upper surface 1802a (more specifically, on the upper surface 1802a than on the back surface 1802d. However, the configuration in which the engaging portion 24 is disposed closer to the electrical contact 4 than the tube insertion opening 8 is not limited to this.

  Moreover, since the positioning part 6 is arrange | positioned near the electrical contact 4 rather than the pipe insertion port 8 similarly to 1st Embodiment, 3rd Embodiment has an effect similar to 1st Embodiment regarding this point. It is possible. Moreover, since the electrical contacts 4 are arranged along the X-axis direction in the third embodiment as in the first embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be achieved in this respect.

<Ink cartridge loading and unloading operations>
The mounting operation of the ink cartridge 1801 in the third embodiment is as shown in FIG. 18, and is almost the same as the mounting operation in the first embodiment shown in FIG. In addition, since the ink cartridge 1801 in the third embodiment is taller than the ink cartridge 1 in the first embodiment, the locking lever 58 is also provided at a higher position correspondingly. In addition, although the mounting guide and the internal space of the mounting portion 33 in the third embodiment are larger than that of the first embodiment, the function of the mounting portion is not changed, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 18A, first, the ink cartridge 1801 is inserted along the inner side of the mounting guide 50 and comes into contact with the eject spring 57. If the ink cartridge 1801 is further inserted in this state, it is next confirmed whether or not the concave portion of the identification portion 9 of the ink cartridge 1801 fits (fits) with the convex portion of the identification member 60 of the mounting portion 33. When both are fitted (fitted), the ink cartridge 1 is further inserted into the back. When the ink cartridge 1801 is further inserted, the tube insertion port sealing film 18 is opened by the tip of the ink receiving tube 52 and the ink receiving tube 52 is inserted into the tube insertion port 8. Next, the positioning pin 53 is inserted into the positioning portion 6, and then the atmosphere communication port sealing film 17 is opened by the opening pin 51 and the opening pin 51 is inserted into the atmosphere communication port 7. Next, the ink receiving tube 52 is inserted into the slit of the seal member 19 provided in the tube insertion path 22 to push the valve 75, whereby the ink storage chamber 11 and the ink receiving tube 52 communicate with each other. Next, the electrical contact 4 comes into contact with the electrical connecting portion 55, and finally, the engaging portion 24 engages with the locking projection 54 of the locking lever 58, and the mounting completion state shown in FIG. .

  As described above, the third embodiment also provides a cartridge-side interface unit that can realize a good connection relationship with the printer main body-side interface unit, as in the first embodiment.

<Wide ink cartridge>
FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing an ink cartridge 1801BK applicable in the third embodiment. The basic configuration of the black ink cartridge 1801BK shown in FIG. 19 is almost the same as that of the color ink cartridge 1801 shown in FIG. For example, the height and depth of the cartridge are the same between the two, and the type, arrangement order, and arrangement width of the cartridge side interface units are also the same.

  The main difference between the black ink cartridge 1801BK and the color ink cartridge 1801 is that the black ink cartridge 1801BK is configured wider than the color ink cartridge 1801 and that the cartridge side interface portion is closer to one side (specifically, the right side) of the front surface. is there. By bringing the cartridge side interface section to one side (specifically, the right side) of the front surface, the arrangement width of the cartridge side interface section can be made the same for black and color. Thereby, the size and schematic structure of the joint unit 59 can be made common between black and color.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink cartridge that can be applied in the fourth embodiment. In particular, the configuration of the engaging portion 224 is characteristic. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the engaging portion is only different from that of the first embodiment, and other configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in this 4th Embodiment, about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment mentioned above, description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

  In the above-described embodiment, the engaging portion 24 is provided on the upper surface of the housing in order to dispose the engaging portion 24 closer to the electrical contact 4 than the tube insertion port 8. The structure arrange | positioned near the electrical contact 4 rather than the insertion port 8 is not restricted to the structure of embodiment mentioned above. The engaging portion may be arranged closer to the electrical contact 4 than the tube insertion port 8 by providing the engaging portion at a position different from the upper surface of the housing. In order to dispose the engaging portion 24 closer to the electrical contact 4 than the tube insertion port 8, it is preferable to dispose the engaging portion closer to the upper surface than to the bottom surface.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the engaging portion 224 is provided on a second housing member (lid member) 41 that forms the right surface 2 f of the housing. Specifically, the engagement portion 224 is a protrusion that extends from the right surface 2f in the X-axis direction (the width direction orthogonal to the right surface). The protrusion 224 has a side portion that is a region 224a that intersects the cartridge mounting direction (Y-axis direction), and at least a part of the region 224a abuts on the locking protrusion 54 of the locking lever 58, thereby engaging. The mating portion 124 and the locking projection 54 are engaged. The contact region 224a of the engagement portion 224 is parallel to the perpendicular of the region on the substrate 3 on which the electrical contact 4 is provided or the normal of the electrical contact 4 as in the region 24a of the engagement recess 24 shown in FIG. In particular, in this embodiment, the region 224a is orthogonal to the direction parallel to the perpendicular. Further, the region 224 a is a region intersecting with a direction parallel to the perpendicular of the surface on which the ink discharge port 8 is formed, and a region intersecting with a direction parallel to the extending direction of the ink discharge path 22. Further, the region 224a is a region intersecting with a direction parallel to the center line of the ink discharge port 8 (a virtual line passing through the center of the ink discharge port 8).

  In the present embodiment, the configuration as illustrated in FIG. 20 is illustrated as the configuration in which the engaging portion is provided at a position different from the upper surface of the housing, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, it is possible to provide the engaging portion at a position as described in a fifth embodiment or a sixth embodiment described later. Note that, as in the present embodiment, in the fifth and sixth embodiments described later, the engaging portion is disposed at a position closer to the top surface than the bottom surface.

  Further, as can be understood from the present embodiment, the engaging portion applicable to the ink cartridge of the present invention is not limited to the concave shape, and may be, for example, a protruding shape as shown in FIG.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, only the configuration of the engaging portion and the shape of the housing are different from those of the first embodiment, and other main configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. Note that the internal configuration (for example, the shape of the ink storage chamber and the shape of the atmosphere communication path) naturally varies depending on the shape of the housing, but the function does not change even if the shape changes. Therefore, the description about an internal structure is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink cartridge 301 applicable in the fifth embodiment, (a) is a perspective view showing an appearance of the ink cartridge 301, and (b) the ink cartridge 301 in the X-axis direction. It is a figure which shows the internal structure seen from the right surface side along. In FIG. 21, the shape of the housing 2 is characteristic, the upper surface 2a is small, and the back surface 2d is formed of a curved surface or a slope. A partial region of the back surface 2d functions as the engaging portion 324. Specifically, the slope or curved surface in the vicinity of the upper surface of the back surface 2d constitutes the engaging portion 324. The engaging portion 324 is located closer to the upper surface 2a than the bottom surface 2b.

  The mounting operation of the ink cartridge 301 in the fifth embodiment is as shown in FIG. 22, and is almost the same as the mounting operation in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, although detailed description is omitted, the engaging portion 324 engages with the locking protrusion 54 of the locking lever 58 as shown in FIG. As described above, the engaging portions applicable to the ink cartridge of the present invention are not limited to the concave portions shown in the first to third embodiments and the protruding portions shown in the fourth embodiment, but are curved surfaces and inclined surfaces. It may be. Further, the position where the engaging portion is provided is not limited to the upper surface 2a of the housing 2 as shown in FIG. 2 or the side surface 2f of the housing 2 as shown in FIG. 20, for example, the diagram described in the present embodiment. 21 may be the back surface 2d of the housing 2 as shown in FIG.

  Note that the inclined surface or curved surface constituting the engaging portion 324 is perpendicular to the region on the substrate 3 on which the electrical contact 4 is provided or the electrical contact 4 as in the region 24a shown in FIG. 5 and the region 224a shown in FIG. In particular, in the present embodiment, the engaging portion 324 is orthogonal to the direction parallel to the perpendicular. Further, the engaging portion 324 intersects with a direction parallel to the perpendicular of the surface on which the ink discharge port 8 is formed, and also intersects with a direction parallel to the extending direction of the ink discharge path 22. Furthermore, the engaging portion 324 intersects with a direction parallel to the center line of the ink discharge port 8 (virtual line passing through the center of the ink discharge port 8).

[Sixth Embodiment]
Next, a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, only the configuration of the engaging portion and the shape of the housing are different from those of the first embodiment, and other main configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the sixth embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. Note that the internal configuration (for example, the shape of the ink storage chamber and the shape of the atmosphere communication path) naturally varies depending on the shape of the housing, but the function does not change even if the shape changes. Therefore, the description about an internal structure is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink cartridge 401 applicable in the sixth embodiment, (a) is a perspective view showing an appearance of the ink cartridge 401, and (b) the ink cartridge 401 in the X-axis direction. It is a figure which shows the internal structure seen from the right surface side along. In FIG. 23, the shape of the housing 2 is characteristic, the top surface 2a and the back surface 2d are small, and a connection region 2g that connects the top surface 2a and the back surface 2d is provided. A part of the connection region 2g functions as the engaging portion 424. Specifically, the connection region 2g has a first region connected to the upper surface 2a and substantially parallel to the front surface 2c, and a second region connected to the back surface 2d and substantially parallel to the bottom surface 2b. A plane portion in the vicinity of the upper surface, which is a part of one region, functions as the engaging portion 424. The engaging portion 424 is located closer to the upper surface 2a than the bottom surface 2b.

  The mounting operation of the ink cartridge 401 in the sixth embodiment is as shown in FIG. 24 and is almost the same as the mounting operation in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Accordingly, although detailed description is omitted, the engaging portion 424 engages with the locking protrusion 54 of the locking lever 58 as shown in FIG. As described above, the engaging portions applicable to the ink cartridge of the present invention include the recesses shown in the first to third embodiments, the protrusions shown in the fourth embodiment, the curved surfaces shown in the fifth embodiment, and the like. It is not limited to slopes. The positions where the engaging portions are provided are not limited to the upper surface 2a of the housing 2 as shown in FIG. 2, the side surface 2f of the housing 2 as shown in FIG. 20, and the back surface 2d of the housing 2. For example, 23 may be a connection region 2g between the upper surface 2a and the rear surface 2d of the housing 2 as illustrated in FIG.

  In addition, the surface which comprises the engaging part 424 is perpendicular | vertical of the area | region on the board | substrate 3 in which the electrical contact 4 was provided similarly to the area | region 24a shown in FIG. 5, and the area | region 224a shown in FIG. In particular, in this embodiment, the engaging portion 424 is orthogonal to the direction parallel to the perpendicular. Further, the engaging portion 424 intersects with a direction parallel to the perpendicular to the surface on which the ink discharge port 8 is formed, and also intersects with a direction parallel to the extending direction of the ink discharge path 22. Furthermore, the engaging portion 424 intersects with a direction parallel to the center line of the ink discharge port 8 (virtual line passing through the center of the ink discharge port 8).

[Seventh Embodiment]
Next, a seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, only the configuration of the engaging portion is different from that of the first embodiment, and other main configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the seventh embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink cartridge 501 applicable in the seventh embodiment, (a) is a perspective view showing an appearance of the ink cartridge 501, and (b) the ink cartridge 501 is arranged in the X-axis direction. It is a figure which shows the internal structure seen from the right surface side along. As shown in FIG. 25, an engaging portion 524 that is a protrusion is provided on the upper surface 2 a of the housing 2. Specifically, the engaging portion 524 is a pentahedral protrusion in which a triangular prism is laid down. The protrusion 524 has a side portion that is a region 524a that intersects the cartridge mounting direction (Y-axis direction), and at least a part of the region 524a contacts the locking protrusion 54 of the locking lever 58, thereby The engaging portion 124 engages with the locking projection 54 of the locking lever 58. The contact region 524a of the engagement portion 524 is parallel to the perpendicular of the region on the substrate 3 on which the electrical contact 4 is provided or the normal of the electrical contact 4 in the same manner as the region 24a of the engagement recess 24 shown in FIG. In particular, in this embodiment, the region 524a is orthogonal to the direction parallel to the perpendicular. Further, the region 524 a is a region intersecting with a direction parallel to the perpendicular of the forming surface of the ink discharge port 8, and a region intersecting with a direction parallel to the extending direction of the ink discharge path 22. Further, the region 524a is a region intersecting with a direction parallel to the center line of the ink discharge port 8 (a virtual line passing through the center of the ink discharge port 8).

  The mounting operation of the ink cartridge 501 in the seventh embodiment is as shown in FIG. 26 and is almost the same as the mounting operation in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, only the relationship between the engaging portion 524 and the locking lever 58 will be described here. When the ink cartridge 501 at the position shown in FIG. 26A enters along the mounting direction (Y-axis direction), the engaging portion 524 comes into contact with the locking protrusion 54 and the locking lever 58 is engaged. Push the stop protrusion side up. As the ink cartridge 701 further enters, the engaging portion 524 advances to a position located downstream of the engaging projection 54 in the mounting direction, and the region 524a of the engaging portion 524 is engaged as shown in FIG. Engage with the stop projection 54. As a result, the ink cartridge 501 is in a completely mounted state. As described above, the engaging portions applicable to the ink cartridge of the present invention include the recesses shown in the first to third embodiments, the protrusions shown in the fourth embodiment, the curved surfaces shown in the fifth embodiment, and the like. It is not limited to the slope, the plane shown in the sixth embodiment, or the like.

[Eighth Embodiment]
Next, an eighth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, only the configuration of the engaging portion is different from that of the first embodiment, and other main configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the eighth embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink cartridge 601 applicable in the eighth embodiment, (a) is a perspective view showing an appearance of the ink cartridge 601, and (b) the ink cartridge 601 is arranged in the X-axis direction. It is a figure which shows the internal structure seen from the right surface side along. The engaging portion 624 is a movable member provided on the upper surface 2 a of the housing 2. Specifically, the engaging portion 624 is an elastically deformable lever supported by the upper surface 2a of the housing 2 so that the protrusion 624a extending in the Z-axis direction can move in a direction approaching the upper surface 2a of the housing 2. It is. When the protrusion 624 a comes into contact with the locking protrusion 54 of the locking lever 58, the engaging portion 624 is engaged with the locking lever 58. Note that the protrusion 624a intersects the direction parallel to the perpendicular of the region on the substrate 3 on which the electrical contact 4 is provided or the perpendicular of the electrical contact 4 in the same manner as the region 24a of the engagement recess 24 shown in FIG. In particular, in this embodiment, the protrusion 624a is orthogonal to the direction parallel to the perpendicular. Further, the protrusion 624 a is a part that intersects the direction parallel to the perpendicular of the surface on which the ink discharge port 8 is formed, and also a part that intersects a direction parallel to the extending direction of the ink discharge path 22. Furthermore, the protrusion 624a is also a portion that intersects with a direction parallel to the center line of the ink discharge port 8 (a virtual line passing through the center of the ink discharge port 8).

  The mounting operation of the ink cartridge 601 in the eighth embodiment is as shown in FIG. 28 and is almost the same as the mounting operation in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, only the relationship between the engaging portion 624 and the locking lever 58 will be described here. When the ink cartridge 601 located at the position shown in FIG. 28A enters along the mounting direction (Y-axis direction), the protrusion 624a comes into contact with the locking protrusion 54 and the locking protrusion of the locking lever 58. Push the side up. As the ink cartridge 601 further enters, the protrusion 624a advances to a position located downstream of the locking protrusion 54 in the mounting direction, and the engaging portion 624 is pushed downward by the locking protrusion 54 at this position. As shown in FIG. 28 (b), the protrusion 624 a of the engaging portion 624 engages with the locking protrusion 54 of the locking lever 58. As a result, the ink cartridge 601 is in a completely mounted state. As described above, the engaging portion applicable to the ink cartridge of the present invention is not limited to the fixed (non-moving) engaging portion shown in the first to seventh embodiments, and the movable engaging portion. It may be.

[Ninth Embodiment]
Next, a ninth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, only the configuration of the engaging portion is different from that of the first embodiment, and other main configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the eighth embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink cartridge 701 applicable in the ninth embodiment, (a) is a perspective view showing an appearance of the ink cartridge 701, and (b) the ink cartridge 701 is arranged in the X-axis direction. It is a figure which shows the internal structure seen from the right surface side along. The engaging portion 724 is a member that is provided on the upper surface 2 a of the housing 2 and is movable with respect to the front surface 2 c of the housing 2 a. The movable engaging portion 724 is biased in the −A direction by a spring 725 as an elastic portion, and is configured to be movable in the −A direction and the opposite + A direction by expansion and contraction of the spring 725. Yes. The spring 725 functions as an engaging portion moving means for moving the engaging portion 724 relative to the housing 2. Note that the engaging portion 724 intersects the direction parallel to the perpendicular of the region on the substrate 3 on which the electrical contact 4 is provided or the perpendicular of the electrical contact 4, similarly to the region 24 a of the engaging recess 24 shown in FIG. 5. In particular, in the present embodiment, the engaging portion 724 is orthogonal to the direction parallel to the perpendicular.

  The mounting operation of the ink cartridge 701 in the ninth embodiment is as shown in FIG. 30, and is almost the same as the mounting operation in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, only the relationship between the engaging portion 724 and the locking lever 58 will be described here. In a state where the engaging portion 724 is not in contact with the locking projection 54 (non-engaged state), the spring 725 is in an extended state as shown in FIG. In this state, the ink cartridge 701 enters along the mounting direction (Y-axis direction), and the engaging portion 724 comes into contact with the locking protrusion 54 as shown in FIG. In this engaged state, the spring 725 is in a compressed state. The position of the engaging portion 724 in FIG. 30 (b) is located closer to the front surface 2c or the electrical contact 4 than the position of the engaging portion 724 in FIG. 30 (a).

[Tenth embodiment]
Next, a tenth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the arrangement of the substrate on which the electrical contacts are mounted is only different from that of the first embodiment, and other main configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in this 10th Embodiment, about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment mentioned above, description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

  FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink cartridge 801 applicable in the tenth embodiment, (a) is a perspective view showing an appearance of the ink cartridge 801, and (b) the ink cartridge 801 is arranged in the X-axis direction. It is a figure which shows the internal structure seen from the right surface side along. As is apparent from FIG. 31, the substrate 3 is provided on the slope 2h connecting the upper surface 2a and the front surface 2c. Specifically, the electrical contact 4 provided on the substrate 3 has a region intersecting with the Y-axis direction so that it can be electrically connected to the electrical connection portion 55 on the main body side. Inclined for both 2c. According to the configuration of FIG. 31, the electrical contact 4 has a region intersecting with the cartridge insertion direction (Y-axis direction) and is not provided on a plane parallel to the Y-axis direction. The amount of rubbing between the electrical contact 4 and the electrical connection portion 55 on the main body side when inserting 801 can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the plurality of electrical contacts 4 are arranged along the width direction (X-axis direction) of the ink cartridge 1101 as in the first embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be achieved in this respect. it can. As can be understood from the present embodiment, the substrate 3 and the electrical contact 4 provided in the ink cartridge applicable in the present invention are limited to the configuration provided on the front surface 2c as shown in the first to ninth embodiments. It is not a thing.

  The electrical contacts 4 shown in FIG. 31 are (1) a region intersecting the cartridge insertion direction (mounting direction), (2) a region intersecting the Y-axis direction, (3) a region intersecting the cartridge depth direction, 4) a region intersecting with a direction parallel to the perpendicular of the forming surface of the tube insertion port (ink discharge port) 8; (5) a region intersecting with a direction parallel to the extending direction of the tube insertion channel (ink discharge channel) 22; And (6) a region that intersects the direction parallel to the center line of the tube insertion port (ink discharge port) 8. Further, the substrate 3 shown in FIG. 31 has (1) a surface intersecting with the cartridge insertion direction (mounting direction), (2) a surface intersecting with the Y-axis direction, (3) a surface intersecting with the cartridge depth direction, (4 ) A surface that intersects the direction parallel to the perpendicular of the formation surface of the tube insertion port (ink discharge port) 8, (5) a surface that intersects the direction parallel to the extending direction of the tube insertion channel (ink discharge channel) 22, and (6) It has a surface that intersects the direction parallel to the center line of the tube insertion port (ink discharge port) 8.

[Eleventh embodiment]
Next, an eleventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, only the configuration for supporting the substrate on which the electrical contacts are mounted is different from that in the first embodiment, and other main configurations are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the eleventh embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink cartridge 901 applicable in the eleventh embodiment. The substrate 3 provided with the electrical contacts 4 is biased in the + A direction by a spring as an elastic body 937 and is configured to be movable in the + A direction and the −A direction by the expansion and contraction of the spring 937. The spring 937 functions as a substrate moving means for moving the substrate 3 relative to the housing. The spring 937 is positioned by a protrusion 936 provided on the back surface of the substrate 3 and a protrusion 938 provided on the front wall of the housing 2. In a state where the ink cartridge 901 is not attached to the attachment portion 33 (when the ink cartridge is not used), the spring 937 is in an extended state as shown in FIG. On the other hand, in a state where the ink cartridge 901 is mounted on the mounting portion 33, the spring 937 is in a compressed state as shown in FIG. 32B, and the substrate 3 is far behind the front surface 2c by the amount compressed by the spring 937. Retract to the side.

  FIGS. 33A and 33B are diagrams showing a process in which an ink cartridge 901 applicable in the eleventh embodiment is inserted into the mounting portion 33, wherein FIG. 33A shows an initial insertion state, and FIG. 33B shows an insertion completion state. ing. The mounting operation in this embodiment shown in FIG. 33 is almost the same as the mounting operation in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, only the expansion and contraction of the spring 937 and the movement of the substrate 3 will be described here. As shown in FIG. 33A, the spring 937 is in an extended state when the electrical contact 4 provided on the substrate 3 is not in contact with the electrical connection portion 55 on the main body side (non-contact state). When the ink cartridge 901 is inserted from the position shown in FIG. 33A toward the position shown in FIG. 33B, the electrical contact 4 comes into contact with the electrical connection portion 55 on the main body side. Thereafter, when the cartridge 901 is further pushed into the back, the electrical contact 4 is pressed from the electrical connection portion 55 on the main body side, the spring 937 is compressed accordingly, and the substrate 3 is moved to a position deeper than the front surface 2c. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 33 (b), the engaging portion 24 engages with the locking lever 58, whereby the ink cartridge 901 is in a completely mounted state.

  32, since the substrate 3 is biased in the + A direction (mounting direction) by the spring 937, the contact between the electrical contact 4 and the electrical connection portion 55 on the main body side is easily stabilized. Further, since the substrate 3 is configured to be movable in the −A direction by the spring 937, when the electrical contact 4 comes into contact with the electrical connection portion 55 on the main body side, the contact pressure does not easily become higher than necessary. As can be understood from the present embodiment, the substrate 3 and the electrical contact 4 provided in the ink cartridge applicable in the present invention are not limited to the configuration provided fixed to the front surface 2c.

  The electrical contacts 4 shown in FIGS. 32 and 33 are (1) a region that intersects the cartridge insertion direction (mounting direction), (2) a region that intersects the Y-axis direction, and (3) a region that intersects the cartridge depth direction. A region, (4) a region that intersects the direction parallel to the perpendicular of the forming surface of the tube insertion port (ink discharge port) 8, and (5) a direction that intersects the direction parallel to the extending direction of the tube insertion channel (ink discharge channel) 22 And (6) a region that intersects the direction parallel to the center line of the tube insertion port (ink discharge port) 8. 32 and 33, (1) a surface that intersects the cartridge insertion direction (mounting direction), (2) a surface that intersects the Y-axis direction, and (3) a surface that intersects the cartridge depth direction. (4) A surface that intersects with the direction parallel to the perpendicular to the formation surface of the tube insertion port (ink discharge port) 8 and (5) intersects with a direction parallel to the extending direction of the tube insertion channel (ink discharge channel) 22. And (6) a plane that intersects the direction parallel to the center line of the tube insertion port (ink discharge port) 8.

[Twelfth embodiment]
Next, a twelfth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, only the configuration of the substrate on which the electrical contacts are mounted is different from that of the first embodiment, and other main configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the twelfth embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink cartridge 1001 applicable in the twelfth embodiment, and (a) is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the ink cartridge 1001 viewed from the right side along the X-axis direction. , (B) is a perspective view of the substrate 1003. The substrate 1003 provided with the electrical contacts 1004 is configured to be rotatable around a rotation shaft 1037. The substrate 1003 has a substantially L shape having a first portion 1003a and a second portion 1003b that is substantially perpendicular to the first portion, and the first portion 1003a and the second portion 1003b are connected via a rotating shaft 1037. Both ends of the rotating shaft 1037 are fixed to the casing. On the back side of the second portion 1003b of the substrate 1003, a tension spring (not shown) connected to the lower surface of the upper wall of the housing 2 is provided. The tension spring urges the second portion 1003b of the substrate 1003 so that the electrical contact 1004 faces substantially vertically downward when the ink cartridge is not used. On the other hand, the first portion 1003 a of the substrate 1003 plays a role of receiving a rotational force from the mounting portion 33 by contacting the mounting portion 33 when the ink cartridge 1001 is inserted. When the first portion 1003a receives the rotational force, the entire substrate 1003 rotates around the rotation shaft 1037, and the electrical contact 1004 provided on the second portion 1003b of the substrate 1003 is electrically connected to the electrical connection portion 55 on the main body side. Connect to. As described above, the electrical contact 1004 is directed substantially downward in the vertical direction when the ink cartridge is not used, but is directed forward in an electrical connection state connected to the electrical connection portion 55 on the main body side.

  FIGS. 35A and 35B are diagrams illustrating a process in which the ink cartridge 1001 applicable in the twelfth embodiment is inserted into the mounting portion 33, where FIG. 35A illustrates an initial insertion state, FIG. (C) has shown the insertion completion state. When the ink cartridge 1001 is inserted as shown in FIG. 35A, the first portion 1003a of the substrate 1003 comes into contact with the upper mounting guide 50, and the substrate 1003 rotates. Then, as shown in FIG. 35B, the ink cartridge 1001 is inserted with the second portion 1003b of the substrate 1003 facing forward. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 35C, the electrical contact 1004 of the substrate 1003 is electrically connected to the electrical connection portion 55 on the main body side, and the engagement portion 24 engages with the locking lever 58, whereby the mounting is completed. It becomes a state. Thereafter, when the ink cartridge 1001 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 33, the substrate 1003 is reversely rotated by a tension spring (not shown) provided on the back surface of the second portion 1003b of the substrate 1003, and again as shown in FIG. Thus, the electrical contact 1004 is turned downward. The tension spring functions as a substrate moving means for moving the substrate 1003 relative to the housing.

  34 and FIG. 35, the electrical contact 1004 is located inside the housing or in a deep part of the housing that is difficult for the user to touch before mounting the cartridge, and the substrate 1003 rotates as the ink cartridge is mounted. Thus, the electrical contact 1004 moves to a position where it can be electrically connected to the electrical connection portion 55 on the main body side, so that the possibility of the user touching the electrical contact 1004 before mounting the cartridge can be reduced.

  The electrical contact 1004 shown in FIG. 34 and FIG. 35 includes (1) a region that intersects the cartridge insertion direction (mounting direction), (2) a region that intersects the Y-axis direction, and (3 ) Region intersecting the cartridge depth direction, (4) Region intersecting the direction parallel to the perpendicular of the surface where the tube insertion port (ink discharge port) 8 is formed, and (5) Extension of the tube insertion channel (ink discharge channel) 22 There is no region that intersects the direction parallel to the direction and (6) a region that intersects the direction parallel to the center line of the tube insertion port (ink discharge port) 8. However, when the ink cartridge 1001 is completely installed or connected to the main body side electrical connecting portion 55, the electrical contacts 1004 shown in FIGS. 34 and 35 are listed immediately above (1) to (6). It will be in the state which has the area | region.

[Thirteenth embodiment]
Next, a thirteenth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, only the configuration and arrangement of the substrate on which the electrical contacts are mounted are different from those of the first embodiment, and other main configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the thirteenth embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink cartridge 1101 applicable in the thirteenth embodiment, (a) is a perspective view showing an appearance of the ink cartridge 1101, and (b) is a diagram illustrating the ink cartridge 1101 in the X axis. It is a figure which shows the internal structure seen from the right surface side along the direction. As shown in FIG. 36, the substrate 1103 has a substantially L shape having a first portion 1103a parallel to the upper surface and a second portion 1103b substantially perpendicular to the first portion 1103a, and the back surface of the first portion 1103a. Is supported by the upper surface 2a, and the back surface of the second portion 1103b is supported by the front surface 2c. The electrode contact 1104 is supported by the second portion 1103b of the substrate 1103 so as to have a region (a region intersecting the Y-axis direction) that can come into contact with the electrical connection portion 55 on the main body side. The electrical contact 1104 is connected to a memory element 1105 provided on the first portion 1103a of the substrate 1103 via an electrical wiring.

  FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink cartridge 1201 applicable in the thirteenth embodiment, (a) is a perspective view showing an appearance of the ink cartridge 1201, and (b) is a diagram illustrating the ink cartridge 1201 in the X axis. It is a figure which shows the internal structure seen from the right surface side along the direction. As shown in FIG. 37, the substrate 1203 has a substantially L shape having a first portion 1203a parallel to the upper surface and a second portion 1203b bent with respect to the first portion 1203a, and the back surface of the first portion 1203a is the upper surface. 2a is supported. The rear surface of the second portion 1203b is separated from the front surface 2c, and this is different from the configuration of FIG. The electrode contact 1204 is supported by the second portion 1203b of the substrate 1203 so as to have a region (region intersecting the Y-axis direction) that can contact the electrical connection portion 55 on the main body side. The electrical contact 1204 is connected to a storage element 1205 provided on the first portion 1103a of the substrate 1203 via an electrical wiring. As the ink cartridge 1201 is inserted into the mounting portion 33, the electrical contact 1204 contacts the electrical connection portion 55 on the main body side, and then the second portion 1203b of the substrate 1203 is deformed while maintaining the contact state between the two. It contacts the front surface 2c of the housing 2. In this state, the engaging portion 24 engages with the locking lever 58 and the mounting is completed.

  36 and 37, the electrical contacts 1104 and 1204 have a region intersecting with the cartridge insertion direction (Y-axis direction) and are not provided on a plane parallel to the Y-axis direction. Therefore, the amount of rubbing between the electrical contact and the electrical connection portion 55 on the main body side when the ink cartridge is inserted can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the plurality of electrical contacts 1104 and 1204 are arranged along the width direction (X-axis direction) of the ink cartridge 1301 as in the first embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained in this respect. Can play. As can be understood from the present embodiment, the substrate 3 provided in the ink cartridge applicable in the present invention is not limited to the form supported by the front surface 2c.

  The electrical contacts 1104 and 1204 shown in FIGS. 36 and 37 are (1) a region intersecting the cartridge insertion direction (mounting direction), (2) a region intersecting the Y-axis direction, and (3) a cartridge depth direction. Intersecting region, (4) region intersecting with the direction parallel to the perpendicular of the forming surface of the tube insertion port (ink discharge port) 8, and (5) direction parallel to the extending direction of the tube insertion channel (ink discharge channel) 22. And (6) a region intersecting with a direction parallel to the center line of the tube insertion port (ink discharge port) 8. 36 and 37 have (1) a surface (1103b, 1203b) that intersects the cartridge insertion direction (mounting direction), and (2) a surface (1103b) that intersects the Y-axis direction. 1203b), (3) planes intersecting the cartridge depth direction (1103b, 1203b), (4) planes intersecting the direction parallel to the perpendicular of the formation surface of the tube insertion port (ink discharge port) 8 (1103b, 1203b) (5) Parallel to the plane (1103b, 1203b) intersecting the direction parallel to the extending direction of the tube insertion path (ink discharge path) 22 and (6) the center line of the tube insertion opening (ink discharge port) 8. Planes (1103b, 1203b) intersecting with various directions.

[Fourteenth embodiment]
Next, a fourteenth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, only the configuration and arrangement of the substrate on which the electrical contacts are mounted are different from those of the first embodiment, and other main configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in this 14th Embodiment, about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment mentioned above, the description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

  FIG. 38 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink cartridge 1301 applicable in the fourteenth embodiment, (a) is a perspective view showing an appearance of the ink cartridge 1301, and (b) the ink cartridge 1301 in the X-axis direction. It is a figure which shows the internal structure seen from the right surface side along. The substrate 1303 is provided at a cutout portion connecting the upper surface 2a and the front surface 2c so as to be substantially parallel to the upper surface 2c. The electrical contact 1304 is provided at the front end on the front side of the substrate 1303, and the storage element 1305 is provided on the back side of the substrate 1303 with respect to the electrical contact 1304. The electrical contact 1304 and the storage element 1305 are connected via electrical wiring.

  According to the configuration of FIG. 38, the electrical contact 1304 has a region that intersects the cartridge insertion direction (Y-axis direction), and is not provided on a plane parallel to the Y-axis direction. The amount of rubbing between the electrical contact 4 and the electrical connection portion 55 on the main body side when 1301 is inserted can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the plurality of electrical contacts 4 are arranged along the width direction (X-axis direction) of the ink cartridge 1301 as in the first embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained in this respect. Can do. In the configuration shown in FIG. 38, the substrate 1303 is provided in the cutout portion. Even in this case, the electrical contact 1304 is located at the front end on the substrate 1303.

  The substrate 1303 shown in FIG. 38 is different from the substrate 3 shown in FIGS. 2, 31, 32, etc. (1) A plane intersecting the cartridge insertion direction (mounting direction), (2) Y-axis direction (3) a surface that intersects the cartridge depth direction, (4) a surface that intersects a direction parallel to the perpendicular to the formation surface of the tube insertion port (ink discharge port) 8, and (5) a tube insertion path (ink) There is no surface that intersects the direction parallel to the extending direction of the discharge path 22 or (6) the surface that intersects the direction parallel to the center line of the tube insertion port (ink discharge port) 8. However, as can be understood from FIG. 38, the electrical contact 1304 provided on the substrate 1303 includes (1) a region that intersects the cartridge insertion direction (mounting direction), (2) a region that intersects the Y-axis direction, and (3) a cartridge. A region intersecting the depth direction, (4) a region intersecting with a direction parallel to the perpendicular of the forming surface of the tube insertion port (ink discharge port) 8, and (5) in a direction in which the tube insertion channel (ink discharge channel) 22 extends. A region intersecting with the parallel direction; and (6) a region intersecting with the direction parallel to the center line of the tube insertion port (ink discharge port) 8.

[Fifteenth embodiment]
Next, a fifteenth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, only the configuration of the positioning portion is different from that of the first embodiment, and other main configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the fifteenth embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 39 is a diagram showing a configuration of a positioning unit applicable in the fifteenth embodiment. The ink cartridge 1401 in FIG. 39A has a plurality of protrusions 1406 that engage with the positioning pins 53, and the plurality of protrusions 1406 function as the positioning portion 1406. The plurality of protrusions 1406 are provided at positions deeper than the front surface 2c. The opening surrounded by the plurality of protrusions 1406 is located below the electrical contact 4 and above the ink discharge port 8. More specifically, the opening is positioned closer to the electrical contact 4 than the ink discharge port 8. The positioning pin 53 is inserted into the opening surrounded by the plurality of protrusions 1406, and the positioning pin 53 engages with the plurality of protrusions 1406, whereby the cartridge in the direction orthogonal to the cartridge mounting direction (for example, the direction along the front surface 2c). Movement is restricted.

  Also, the ink cartridge 1501 in FIG. 39B includes a slit forming member 1506 that forms a slit into which the positioning pin 53 can be inserted, and this slit forming member 1506 functions as a positioning portion. The slit forming member 1506 is provided at a position deeper than the front surface 2c. The slit formed by the slit forming member 1506 is located below the electrical contact 4 and above the ink discharge port 8, more specifically, closer to the electrical contact 4 than the ink discharge port 8. When the positioning pin 53 is inserted into the slit and engaged with the slit forming member 1506, the cartridge movement in the direction orthogonal to the cartridge mounting direction (for example, the direction along the front surface 2c) is restricted.

  Further, the ink cartridge 1601 of FIG. 39C includes a C-shaped member 1606 having an opening into which the positioning pin 53 can be inserted, and this C-shaped member 1606 functions as a positioning portion. The C-shaped member 1606 is provided at a position deeper than the front surface 2c. The opening formed by the C-shaped member 1606 is located below the electrical contact 4 and above the ink discharge port 8. More specifically, the opening is located closer to the electrical contact 4 than the ink discharge port 8. . When the positioning pin 53 is inserted into the opening and engaged with the C-shaped member 1606, the cartridge movement in the direction orthogonal to the cartridge mounting direction (for example, the direction along the front surface 2c) is restricted.

  Thus, the positioning portion applicable to the ink cartridge of the present invention is not limited to the positioning hole 6 provided in the front surface 2c of the housing 2 shown in the first embodiment. The positioning part 6 can be widely applied as long as it has a function of positioning the ink cartridge by acting on the positioning pin 53.

[Sixteenth Embodiment]
Next, a sixteenth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the substrate 3, the positioning unit 3, and the penetrating unit 27 are provided in the second housing member 1741 that is a component of the housing 2, and the tube insertion port 8 and the identification unit 9 are components of the housing 2. A first casing member 1740 is provided. The only difference from the first embodiment is that a part of the cartridge side interface portion is provided on the second housing member that functions as a lid member, and the other main configuration is almost the same as that of the first embodiment. It is. Therefore, in the sixteenth embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink cartridge applicable in the sixteenth embodiment, and FIG. 40A is a diagram illustrating a second casing member 1741 that is a component of the casing 2. FIG. 7B is a perspective view of an ink cartridge 1701 having a first housing member 1740 and a second housing member 1741. As shown in FIG. 40 (a), the second housing member 1741 of this embodiment is different from the second housing member 41 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. A second front wall forming member 1702c2 as a main part is added. The second front wall forming member 1702c2 is provided with the substrate 3 provided with the electrical contacts 4, the positioning portion 6, and the through portion 27. On the other hand, the first housing member 1740 removes the substrate 3, the positioning portion 6 and the through portion 27 from the first housing member 40 shown in FIG. 4, and only a part of the front wall 2c is used as the first front wall forming member 1702c1. It ’s left. That is, the first housing member 1740 has an upper surface 2a, a lower surface 2b, a back surface 2d, a left surface 2e (not shown), and a first front wall forming member 1702c1 on which the engaging portion 24 is provided. The wall forming member 1702c1 is provided with a tube insertion port 8 and an identification portion 9. By attaching the second casing member 1741 to the first casing member 1740, an ink cartridge 1701 as shown in FIG. 40B is formed. As is clear from FIG. 40B, the front wall / front surface 2c of the housing 2 is a component of the first front wall forming member 1702c1 and the second housing member 1741 that are the components of the first housing member 1740. A second front wall forming member 1702c2 is included. As described above, the case applicable to the ink cartridge of the present invention is not limited to the case in which the first case member and the second case member described in the first embodiment are combined. In addition, the front wall / front surface 2c of the housing is not limited to the form configured by one member, and the front wall / front surface 2c of the housing is configured by a plurality of members as shown in the present embodiment. It may be. The cartridge-side interface unit to be arranged on the front wall / front surface of the housing can be distributed and arranged in a plurality of members constituting the front wall / front surface of the housing.

[Seventeenth embodiment]
Next, a seventeenth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the configuration of the engaging portion of the ink cartridge and the configuration of the locking portion of the cartridge mounting portion 33 are only different from those of the first embodiment, and other main configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the seventeenth embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink cartridge 1901 applicable in the seventeenth embodiment, and shows how the engaging portion 1924 moves as the engaging lever 1926 moves. As shown in FIG. 41, the ink cartridge 1901 includes a movable engagement lever 1926 having an engagement portion 1942. The engagement lever 1926 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 1925 supported by the upper surface 2a, and the engagement portion 1924 approaches the upper surface 1902a of the housing 1902 or the upper surface 1902a by rotation of the locking lever 1926. The distance between the engaging portion 1924 and the upper surface 1902a of the housing 1902 can be varied. 41A shows the state of the engaging lever when the distance between the engaging portion 1924 and the upper surface 1902a of the housing 1902 is relatively large, and FIG. 41B shows the engaging portion 1924. The state of the engagement lever when the distance between the housing 1902 and the upper surface 1902a of the housing 1902 is relatively small is shown. The engaging portion 1924 provided on the engaging lever 1926 is provided so as to be movable in the vicinity of the upper surface 2c, and is provided at a position closer to the electrical contact 4 than the ink discharge port 8 as in the first embodiment. Yes. Therefore, in this respect, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  FIGS. 42A and 42B are diagrams illustrating a process in which the ink cartridge 1901 applicable in the seventeenth embodiment is inserted into the mounting portion 33, where FIG. 42A illustrates an initial insertion state, and FIG. ing. When the ink cartridge 1901 is inserted, the engaging portion 1924 contacts the upper mounting guide 50 provided in the cartridge mounting portion 33, and the engaging lever 1926 moves so that the engaging portion 1924 approaches the upper surface 2a. The state in which the engaging portion 1924 approaches the upper surface 2a is the state shown in FIG. When the ink cartridge 1901 is further inserted from the state shown in FIG. 42A and the engaging portion 1924 passes the end of the upper mounting guide 50, the engaging lever 1926 moves away from the upper surface 2a. Move. As a result, the engaging portion 1924 engages with the engaging member 1954 provided at the end of the upper mounting guide 50, and the ink cartridge 1901 is in a mounting completed state.

  When removing the ink cartridge 1901 from the cartridge mounting portion 33, the rear side end portion 1927 of the engagement lever 1926 is lifted upward (Z-axis direction). As a result, the engagement state between the engagement portion 1924 and the engagement member 1954 is released, and along with this release, the ink cartridge 1901 moves in the take-out direction by the urging force of the eject spring 57, and the user moves the ink cartridge 1901 to the cartridge. It can be removed from the mounting portion 33. When the user operates the locking lever 1926 to release the engagement state between the engagement portion 1924 and the engagement member 1954, the ink cartridge 1901 moves in the take-out direction by the spring force. Since the hand is in the vicinity of the take-out position, even if the spring force is strong, the user can easily grasp the ink cartridge 1901 that has popped out by the spring force, so that the ink cartridge 1901 is more than necessary. Large jump-out can be suppressed.

  As can be understood from the present embodiment, the engaging portion applicable to the ink cartridge of the present invention is not limited to a form that can be engaged with the locking lever 58 of the cartridge mounting portion 33. Various engaging portions that can engage with the components of the cartridge mounting portion 33 are applicable.

[Eighteenth Embodiment]
Next, an eighteenth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 43 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of ink cartridges 2001, 2101, 2201 and 3011 applicable in the eighteenth embodiment. In the present embodiment, the ink cartridge is not provided with the positioning portion 6 and / or the penetrating portion 27, and the cartridge mounting portion 33 is not provided with the positioning pin 53 and / or the opening pin 51. This is a main difference from the embodiment, and other configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the eighteenth embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The ink cartridge 2001 shown in FIG. 43 (a) excludes the positioning portion 6 and the through portion 27 from the ink cartridge 1 of the first embodiment, and further includes an air communication port (not shown) and an air communication port sealing film 2017. This is provided on the upper surface 2 a of the housing 2. The cartridge mounting portion to which the ink cartridge 2001 can be detachably mounted is obtained by removing the positioning pin 53 and the opening pin 51 from the cartridge mounting portion 33 of the first embodiment. Since the cartridge mounting portion is not provided with the opening pin 51, the atmosphere communication port sealing film needs to be peeled off by the user. Therefore, in the ink cartridge 2001 in FIG. 43A, the atmosphere communication port sealing film 2017 is provided on the upper surface 2a of the housing 2 where the user can easily peel off the film.

  According to such a configuration, since the positioning portion 6 and the positioning pin 53 do not exist, the ink cartridge 2001 is positioned by the tube insertion port 8, the ink receiving tube 52, the position regulating surface 10 and the positioning wall 56. Therefore, positioning accuracy is inferior to that of the first embodiment. However, the engaging portion 24 is disposed closer to the electrical contact 4 than the tube insertion port 8 and / or the engaging portion 24 is disposed near the upper surface 2c or near the upper surface where the distance from the electrical contact 4 is small. Since this point is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained in this respect.

  In the configuration of FIG. 43 (a), since the user peels off the seal, the air communication film 2017 may be peeled off by the user before mounting the cartridge. In this case, the first embodiment The effect of can not be obtained. However, on the other hand, it is easier to attach the atmosphere communication port sealing film than that of the first embodiment, and since the opening pin 51 is not provided, the number of parts of the printer main body can be reduced. FIG. 43 (a) illustrates the configuration in which the air communication port (not shown) and the air communication port sealing film 2017 are provided on the upper surface 2a of the housing 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the user can communicate with the air communication. As long as the mouth sealing film 2017 can be easily peeled off, the atmosphere communication mouth sealing film 2017 may be disposed anywhere. For example, the air communication port and the air communication port sealing film 2017 can be provided on the back surface 2d, the right surface 2f, the left surface 2e, and the like of the housing 2.

  The ink cartridge 2101 shown in FIG. 43 (b) is similar to the ink cartridge 1 of the first embodiment in that the positioning portion 6, the penetrating portion 27, the atmospheric communication port 7, the filter 15, the atmospheric communication channel 16, and the atmospheric communication port sealing film 17 are used. The structure of the ink storage chamber 11 inside the housing is further changed.

  The ink cartridge 2201 shown in FIG. 43 (c) excludes the through portion 27 from the ink cartridge 1 of the first embodiment, and further includes an air communication port (not shown) and an air communication port sealing film 2217 of the housing 2. It is provided on the upper surface 2a. The cartridge mounting portion to which the ink cartridge 2001 can be detachably mounted is obtained by removing the opening pin 51 from the cartridge mounting portion 33 of the first embodiment. Since the air communication port sealing film 2217 is peeled off by the user, the air communication port film 2217 may be peeled off by the user before the cartridge is mounted. In this case, the effect of the first embodiment is obtained. I can't. However, instead, the application of the air communication port sealing film is easier than that of the first embodiment.

  The ink cartridge 2301 shown in FIG. 43D is obtained by removing the positioning unit 6 from the ink cartridge 1 of the first embodiment. The cartridge mounting portion to which the ink cartridge 2301 can be detachably mounted is obtained by removing the positioning pin 53 from the cartridge mounting portion 33 of the first embodiment. According to such a configuration, since the positioning portion 6 and the positioning pin 53 do not exist, the ink cartridge 2301 is positioned by the tube insertion port 8 and the ink receiving tube, the position regulating surface 10 and the positioning wall 56. Therefore, positioning accuracy is inferior to that of the first embodiment. However, the engaging portion 24 is disposed closer to the electrical contact 4 than the tube insertion port 8 and / or the engaging portion 24 is disposed near the upper surface 2c or near the upper surface where the distance from the electrical contact 4 is small. Since this point is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained in this respect.

[Preferred embodiment of the present invention]
A preferable aspect of the ink cartridge or the ink jet printer of the present invention disclosed in the above-described embodiment is, for example, as follows.

(Aspect 1)
An ink cartridge that can be mounted along a mounting direction that intersects the direction of gravity with respect to a cartridge mounting unit that includes an ink receiving tube and a plurality of electrical connections,
A housing including an ink storage chamber for storing ink that can be supplied to the ink receiving tube, the housing having a first side surface, an upper surface, and a bottom surface located at a tip in the mounting direction;
A tube insertion portion provided on the first side surface at a position closer to the bottom surface than the top surface and into which the ink receiving tube can be inserted;
A substrate provided in the housing, wherein the substrate is located above the tube insertion portion and has a region intersecting the mounting direction;
A plurality of electrical contacts that can be electrically connected to the plurality of electrical connection portions, and are arranged side by side in the region of the substrate along a direction intersecting a height direction from the bottom surface to the top surface. Electrical contacts,
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 2)
2. The ink cartridge according to aspect 1, wherein the region of the substrate is parallel to the first side surface.

(Aspect 3)
The ink cartridge according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the substrate is provided on the first side surface.

(Aspect 4)
The ink cartridge according to aspect 1, wherein the region of the substrate is inclined with respect to the first side surface and the upper surface.

(Aspect 5)
The ink cartridge according to aspect 1 or 4, wherein the substrate is provided on a slope between the first side surface and the upper surface.

(Aspect 6)
An ink cartridge that can be mounted along a mounting direction that intersects the direction of gravity with respect to a cartridge mounting unit that includes an ink receiving tube and a plurality of electrical connections,
A housing including an ink storage chamber for storing ink that can be supplied to the ink receiving tube, the housing having a first side surface, an upper surface, and a bottom surface located at a tip in the mounting direction;
A tube insertion portion provided on the first side surface at a position closer to the bottom surface than the top surface and into which the ink receiving tube can be inserted;
A substrate provided on the upper surface;
A plurality of electrical contacts provided on the substrate and electrically connectable to the plurality of electrical connection portions;
Each of the plurality of electrical contacts has a region intersecting the mounting direction,
The ink cartridge, wherein the regions of the plurality of electrical contacts are arranged side by side along a direction intersecting a height direction from the bottom surface to the top surface.

(Aspect 7)
The ink cartridge according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, wherein the direction intersecting with the height direction is a horizontal direction perpendicular to the height direction.

(Aspect 8)
The housing includes a second side surface located at a rear end in the mounting direction, the first side surface, the second side surface, a third side surface connected to the top surface and the bottom surface, and the ink storage chamber interposed therebetween. A fourth side surface located on the opposite side of the third side surface and connected to the first side surface, the second side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface;
The ink cartridge according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein a direction intersecting the height direction is a direction orthogonal to the third side surface and the fourth side surface.

(Aspect 9)
The third side surface has a larger area than each of the first side surface, the second side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface,
The fourth side surface has a larger area than each of the first side surface, the second side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface,
The first side surface has an area smaller than each of the third side surface, the fourth side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface,
The ink cartridge according to aspect 8, wherein the second side surface has an area smaller than each of the third side surface, the fourth side surface, the top surface, and the bottom surface.

(Aspect 10)
An ink cartridge that can be mounted along a mounting direction that intersects the direction of gravity with respect to a cartridge mounting unit that includes an ink receiving tube and a plurality of electrical connections,
A housing including an ink storage chamber for storing ink that can be supplied to the ink receiving tube, a first side surface located at a front end in the mounting direction, a second side surface positioned at a rear end in the mounting direction, A third side surface connecting the first side surface and the second side surface, a fourth side surface positioned on the opposite side of the third side surface across the ink storage chamber and connecting the first side surface and the second side surface, an upper surface, and A housing having a bottom surface;
A tube insertion portion provided on the first side surface at a position closer to the bottom surface than the top surface and into which the ink receiving tube can be inserted;
A substrate provided on the first side surface and positioned above the tube insertion portion;
A plurality of electrical contacts that can be electrically connected to the plurality of electrical connection portions, and are arranged side by side on the substrate along a direction orthogonal to the third side surface and the fourth side surface. When,
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 11)
The third side surface has a larger area than each of the first side surface, the second side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface,
The fourth side surface has a larger area than each of the first side surface, the second side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface,
The first side surface has an area smaller than each of the third side surface, the fourth side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface,
The ink cartridge according to aspect 10, wherein the second side surface has an area smaller than each of the third side surface, the fourth side surface, the top surface, and the bottom surface.

(Aspect 12)
A tube insertion path provided in the housing for connecting the tube insertion portion and the ink storage chamber;
An elastic body provided in the tube insertion path, the elastic body being elastically deformable with the insertion of the ink receiving tube into the tube insertion path;
The ink cartridge according to any one of aspects 1 to 10, further comprising:

(Aspect 13)
13. The ink cartridge according to aspect 12, wherein the elastic body includes a rubber member that can come into contact with an outer peripheral surface of the ink receiving tube inserted into the tube insertion path.

(Aspect 14)
A locking lever provided in the cartridge mounting portion to maintain the insertion state in which the ink receiving tube is inserted into the tube insertion portion and the connection state in which the plurality of electrical contacts and the plurality of electrical connection portions are connected. The ink cartridge according to any one of aspects 1 to 13, further comprising an engaging portion engageable with the ink cartridge.

(Aspect 15)
The ink cartridge according to Aspect 14, wherein the engagement portion is provided at a position closer to the top surface than the bottom surface.

(Aspect 16)
The ink cartridge according to Aspect 14, wherein the engaging portion is provided on the upper surface.

(Aspect 17)
The ink cartridge according to any one of aspects 14 to 16, wherein the engagement portion is a recess that can be engaged with a protrusion of the locking lever.

(Aspect 18)
The ink cartridge according to any one of aspects 14 to 17, wherein the engagement portion is provided at a position closer to the plurality of electrical contacts than the tube insertion portion.

(Aspect 19)
A positioning portion provided at a position above the tube insertion portion and below the plurality of electrical contacts, the cartridge for restricting movement of the casing in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction The ink cartridge according to any one of aspects 1 to 18, further comprising a positioning portion engageable with a positioning member provided in the mounting portion.

(Aspect 20)
The ink cartridge according to Aspect 19, wherein the positioning portion is provided at a position closer to the plurality of electrical contacts than the tube insertion portion.

(Aspect 21)
The positioning part has a positioning port into which the positioning member is inserted,
21. The ink cartridge according to aspect 20 or 20, wherein the positioning port is provided on the first side surface.

(Aspect 22)
The ink cartridge according to any one of aspects 19 to 21, wherein the direction orthogonal to the mounting direction is a height direction from the bottom surface toward the top surface.

(Aspect 23)
The ink cartridge according to any one of aspects 19 to 21, wherein the direction orthogonal to the mounting direction is a direction along the first side surface.

(Aspect 24)
An ink cartridge,
A housing having a plurality of side surfaces, an upper surface, and a bottom surface defined by the orientation of the ink cartridge in use, and having an ink storage chamber and an ink discharge port through which ink in the ink storage chamber can be discharged to the outside The housing includes a first side surface, and the ink discharge port is located closer to the bottom surface than the top surface of the first side surface;
A substrate provided on the first side surface;
A plurality of electrical contacts positioned above the ink discharge port, the plurality of electrical contacts arranged side by side on the substrate along a direction intersecting a height direction from the bottom surface toward the top surface;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 25)
An ink cartridge,
A housing having a plurality of side surfaces, an upper surface, and a bottom surface defined by the orientation of the ink cartridge in use, and having an ink storage chamber and an ink discharge port through which ink in the ink storage chamber can be discharged to the outside The housing includes a first side surface, and the ink discharge port is located closer to the bottom surface than the top surface of the first side surface;
A substrate provided in the housing and having a region intersecting a perpendicular of the first side surface;
A plurality of electrical contacts positioned above the ink discharge port, the plurality of electrical contacts arranged side by side in the region of the substrate along a direction intersecting a height direction from the bottom surface toward the top surface. When,
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 26)
The plurality of side surfaces sandwich the ink storage chamber with a second side surface located opposite to the first side surface across the ink storage chamber, a third side surface connecting the first side surface and the second side surface, and the ink storage chamber. And a fourth side surface located on the opposite side of the third side surface and connecting the first side surface and the second side surface,
26. The ink cartridge according to aspect 24 or 25, wherein the direction intersecting the height direction is a direction orthogonal to the third side surface and the fourth side surface.

(Aspect 27)
The third side surface has a larger area than each of the first side surface, the second side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface,
The fourth side surface has a larger area than each of the first side surface, the second side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface,
The first side surface has an area smaller than each of the third side surface, the fourth side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface,
27. The ink cartridge according to aspect 26, wherein the second side surface has an area smaller than each of the third side surface, the fourth side surface, the top surface, and the bottom surface.

(Aspect 28)
28. The ink cartridge according to any one of aspects 24 to 27, further comprising an engaging portion provided at a position closer to the plurality of electrical contacts than the ink discharge port.

(Aspect 29)
The ink cartridge according to aspect 28, wherein the engagement portion is provided at a position closer to the upper surface than the bottom surface.

(Aspect 30)
The ink cartridge according to aspect 28, wherein the engaging portion is provided on the upper surface.

(Aspect 31)
31. The ink cartridge according to any one of aspects 28 to 30, wherein the engaging portion is a concave portion having a region intersecting with a direction parallel to a perpendicular line of the substrate.

(Aspect 32)
A hollow path provided in the housing and connecting the ink storage chamber and the ink outlet;
A rubber member provided in the hollow path;
32. The ink cartridge according to any one of aspects 24 to 31, further comprising:

(Aspect 33)
An ink cartridge,
A substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing including an ink storage chamber, comprising: (a) a first surface provided with an ink discharge port capable of discharging ink in the ink storage chamber to the outside; and (b) sandwiching the ink storage chamber A second surface located on the opposite side of the first surface; and (c) a third surface that intersects the first surface and the second surface and has a larger area than each of the first surface and the second surface. A surface, (d) a fourth surface located on the opposite side of the third surface across the ink storage chamber and having a larger area than each of the first surface and the second surface, (e) the first surface A fifth surface that intersects the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface and has a larger area than each of the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface. (F) located on the opposite side of the fifth surface across the ink storage chamber and the first surface, the second surface, And a sixth surface having a larger area than each of the third surface and the fourth surface, and (g) a housing in which the ink discharge port is provided at a position closer to the third surface than the fourth surface. Body,
A substrate provided on the first surface and positioned above the ink discharge port in a state where the third surface is a bottom surface;
A plurality of electrical contacts provided on the substrate, the plurality of electrical contacts arranged side by side along a direction intersecting the direction from the third surface toward the fourth surface;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 34)
34. The ink cartridge according to aspect 33, wherein a direction from the third surface toward the fourth surface is a direction orthogonal to the fifth surface and the sixth surface.

(Aspect 35)
Aspect 33 or 34 further comprising a recess-shaped engagement portion provided at a position closer to the plurality of electrical contacts than the ink discharge port and having a region intersecting with a direction parallel to the normal of the substrate. The ink cartridge described in 1.

(Aspect 36)
36. The ink cartridge according to aspect 35, wherein the engaging portion is provided at a position closer to the first surface than the second surface of the fourth surface.

(Aspect 37)
A hollow path provided in the housing and connecting the ink storage chamber and the ink outlet;
A rubber member provided in the hollow path;
37. The ink cartridge according to any one of aspects 24 to 36, further comprising:

(Aspect 38)
An ink cartridge,
A housing having an ink storage chamber, an ink discharge port capable of discharging ink in the ink storage chamber, and a hollow path connecting the ink storage chamber and the ink discharge port, wherein the ink discharge port is provided. A housing having a side surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the ink discharge port is located closer to the bottom surface than the top surface;
A substrate provided in the housing;
A plurality of electrical contacts provided on the substrate, the plurality of electrical contacts arranged side by side along a direction intersecting a height direction from the bottom surface toward the top surface,
Each of the plurality of electrical contacts has an area located above the ink discharge port and intersecting with a direction parallel to the extending direction of the hollow path.

(Aspect 39)
An ink cartridge,
A housing including an ink storage chamber, having a side surface, an upper surface, and a bottom surface provided with an ink discharge port capable of discharging ink in the ink storage chamber to the outside, wherein the ink discharge port is located on the bottom surface rather than the top surface. A housing provided at a position close to
A substrate provided in the housing;
A plurality of electrical contacts provided on the substrate, the plurality of electrical contacts arranged side by side along a direction intersecting a height direction from the bottom surface toward the top surface,
Each of the plurality of electrical contacts has a region that is located above the ink discharge port and intersects with a direction parallel to the center line of the ink discharge port.
(Aspect 40)
An ink cartridge,
A housing including an ink storage chamber, and having a side surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface including a formation region in which an ink discharge port capable of discharging ink in the ink storage chamber to the outside is formed, and the ink discharge port is the top surface A housing provided closer to the bottom than the bottom,
A substrate provided in the housing;
A plurality of electrical contacts provided on the substrate, the plurality of electrical contacts arranged side by side along a direction intersecting a height direction from the bottom surface toward the top surface, Each of the ink cartridges has a region that is located above the ink discharge port and intersects a direction parallel to a perpendicular of the formation region.

(Aspect 41)
The casing includes a second side surface located on the opposite side of the side surface across the ink storage chamber, a third side surface connecting the side surface and the second side surface, and the third side surface across the ink storage chamber. And a fourth side surface connecting the side surface and the second side surface.
41. The ink cartridge according to any one of aspects 38 to 40, wherein the direction intersecting the height direction is a direction orthogonal to the third side surface and the fourth side surface.

(Aspect 42)
The third side surface has a larger area than each of the side surface, the second side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface,
The fourth side surface has a larger area than each of the side surface, the second side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface,
The side surface has an area smaller than each of the third side surface, the fourth side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface,
42. The ink cartridge according to aspect 41, wherein the second side surface has an area smaller than each of the third side surface, the fourth side surface, the top surface, and the bottom surface.

(Aspect 43)
43. The ink cartridge according to any one of aspects 38 to 42, further comprising an engagement portion provided at a position closer to the plurality of electrical contacts than the ink discharge port.

(Aspect 44)
45. The ink cartridge according to aspect 43, wherein the engaging portion is provided at a position closer to the upper surface than the bottom surface.

(Aspect 45)
45. The ink cartridge according to aspect 43, wherein the engaging portion is provided on the upper surface.

(Aspect 46)
46. The ink cartridge according to any one of aspects 43 to 45, wherein the engaging portion is a concave portion having a region intersecting with a direction parallel to a perpendicular to the substrate.

(Aspect 47)
A hollow path provided in the housing and connecting the ink storage chamber and the ink outlet;
A rubber member provided in the hollow path;
47. The ink cartridge according to any one of aspects 38 to 46, further comprising:

(Aspect 48)
An ink jet printer comprising: a cartridge mounting portion including an ink receiving tube and a plurality of electrical connection portions; and an ink cartridge mountable along a mounting direction intersecting a gravitational direction with respect to the cartridge mounting portion.
The ink cartridge includes (A) a housing including an ink storage chamber for storing ink that can be supplied to the ink receiving tube, the first side surface positioned at the tip in the mounting direction, and the rear in the mounting direction. A housing having a second side surface, an upper surface and a bottom surface located at an end; and (B) a tube insertion portion provided on the first side surface at a position closer to the bottom surface than the upper surface and into which the ink receiving tube can be inserted. And (C) a substrate provided in the housing, the substrate having a region located above the tube insertion portion and intersecting the mounting direction, and (D) the plurality of electrical connection portions, A plurality of electrical contacts that can be electrically connected, and a plurality of electrical contacts arranged side by side in the region of the substrate along a direction intersecting a height direction from the bottom surface toward the top surface. Inkjet printer characterized by Printer.

(Aspect 49)
49. The inkjet printer according to aspect 48, wherein the direction intersecting with the height direction is a horizontal direction orthogonal to the height direction.

(Aspect 50)
The housing includes a second side surface located at a rear end in the mounting direction, the first side surface, the second side surface, a third side surface connected to the top surface and the bottom surface, and the ink storage chamber interposed therebetween. A fourth side surface located on the opposite side of the third side surface and connected to the first side surface, the second side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface;
The ink jet printer according to aspect 48 or 49, wherein the direction intersecting the height direction is a direction orthogonal to the third side surface and the fourth side surface.

(Aspect 51)
An ink cartridge that can be attached to and detached from a cartridge mounting portion having an opening pin,
(i) an ink storage chamber, (ii) an air communication path connected to the ink storage chamber and capable of introducing air into the ink storage chamber, and (iii) a through hole into which the opening pin can be inserted. A through hole forming wall; and (iv) an air communication port forming wall formed between the through hole forming wall and the ink storage chamber and having an air communication port located at an end of the air communication path; A housing having
A sealing film that can be opened by the opening pin that has passed through the through-hole, the sealing film covering the atmosphere communication port; and
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 52)
An ink cartridge that can be attached to and detached from a cartridge mounting portion having an ink receiving tube and an opening pin
(i) an ink storage chamber for storing ink that can be supplied to the ink receiving tube; (ii) an atmosphere communication path connected to the ink storage chamber and capable of introducing the atmosphere into the ink storage chamber; ) A tube insertion port into which the ink receiving tube can be inserted; (iv) a through hole into which the unsealing pin can be inserted; (v) a side wall having the tube insertion port and the through hole; the side wall; and the ink storage chamber. A housing having an air communication port forming wall, a bottom wall and an upper wall formed with an air communication port located between and an air communication port.
A sealing film that can be opened by the opening pin that has passed through the through-hole, the sealing film covering the atmosphere communication port; and
A sealing film that can be opened by the ink receiving tube, the second sealing film covering the tube insertion port;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 53)
An ink cartridge that can be attached to and detached from a cartridge mounting portion having an opening pin,
(i) an ink storage chamber, (ii) an air communication path connected to the ink storage chamber and capable of introducing air into the ink storage chamber, and (iii) a through hole into which the opening pin can be inserted. A through hole forming wall; and (iv) an air communication port forming wall formed between the through hole forming wall and the ink storage chamber and having an air communication port located at an end of the air communication path; A preparation step of preparing a housing having
A pasting step of pasting a sealing film that can be opened by the opening pin that has passed through the through hole so as to cover the atmosphere communication port;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 54)
An injection process for injecting ink into the ink storage chamber;
54. The manufacturing method according to aspect 53, wherein the injection step is performed after the pasting step.

(Aspect 55)
A manufacturing method for manufacturing an ink cartridge that can be attached to and detached from a cartridge mounting portion having an ink receiving tube and an opening pin,
(i) an ink storage chamber for storing ink that can be supplied to the ink receiving tube; (ii) an atmosphere communication path connected to the ink storage chamber and capable of introducing the atmosphere into the ink storage chamber; ) A tube insertion port into which the ink receiving tube can be inserted; (iv) a through hole into which the unsealing pin can be inserted; (v) a side wall having the tube insertion port and the through hole; the side wall; and the ink storage chamber. A preparation step of preparing a housing having an atmosphere communication port forming wall, a bottom wall and an upper wall formed with an atmosphere communication port located between and an end of the atmosphere communication passage;
A pasting step of pasting a sealing film that can be opened by the opening pin that has passed through the through hole so as to cover the atmosphere communication port;
A second pasting step of pasting a second sealing film that can be opened by the ink receiving tube so as to cover the tube insertion port;
A manufacturing method comprising:

(Aspect 56)
A further step of injecting ink into the ink storage chamber;
The manufacturing method according to aspect 55, wherein the injection step is performed after the first pasting step and before the second pasting step.

(Aspect 57)
An ink cartridge that can be mounted along a mounting direction that intersects the direction of gravity with respect to a cartridge mounting portion that includes an ink receiving tube, an electrical connection portion, and a positioning member,
A housing including an ink storage chamber for storing ink that can be supplied to the ink receiving tube, the housing having a front surface, an upper surface, and a bottom surface located on the front side in the mounting direction;
A tube insertion portion provided on the front surface at a position closer to the bottom surface than the top surface, into which the ink receiving tube can be inserted;
An electrical contact that can be electrically connected to the electrical connection portion, the electrical contact having a region that intersects the mounting direction and is located above the tube insertion portion;
To restrict movement of the housing in a direction above the tube insertion portion, below the electrical contact, and closer to the electrical contact than the tube insertion portion, in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction A positioning portion engageable with the positioning member;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 58)
58. The ink cartridge according to aspect 57, wherein the positioning portion has a positioning port provided on the front surface and into which the positioning member is inserted.

(Aspect 59)
An ink cartridge that can be mounted along a mounting direction that intersects the direction of gravity with respect to a cartridge mounting portion that includes an ink receiving tube, an electrical connection portion, a positioning member, a biasing spring, and a locking lever,
A housing including an ink storage chamber for storing ink that can be supplied to the ink receiving tube and a tube insertion port into which the ink receiving tube can be inserted, the front surface being located in front of the mounting direction, A housing having a rear surface, a top surface and a bottom surface located on the rear side, wherein the tube insertion port is provided at a position closer to the bottom surface than the top surface of the front surface;
A substrate provided on the front surface at a position closer to the top surface than the bottom surface;
An electrical contact provided on the substrate and electrically connectable to the electrical connection;
The front surface is provided above the tube insertion opening, below the electrical contact, and at a position closer to the electrical contact than the tube insertion opening, and moves the housing in a direction along the front surface. A positioning opening into which the positioning member can be inserted to regulate;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 60)
An ink cartridge that can be mounted along a mounting direction that intersects the direction of gravity with respect to a cartridge mounting portion that includes an ink receiving tube, an electrical connection portion, and a locking lever,
A housing including an ink storage chamber for storing ink that can be supplied to the ink receiving tube, the housing having a front surface, an upper surface, and a bottom surface located on the front side in the mounting direction;
A tube insertion portion provided on the front surface at a position closer to the bottom surface than the top surface, into which the ink receiving tube can be inserted;
An electrical contact that can be electrically connected to the electrical connection portion, the electrical contact having a region located above the tube insertion portion and intersecting the mounting direction;
An engagement portion provided at a position closer to the electrical contact than the tube insertion portion, wherein the ink receiving tube is inserted into the tube insertion portion, and the electrical contact and the electrical connection portion are connected. An engaging portion engageable with the locking lever to maintain a connected state;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 61)
An ink cartridge that can be mounted along a mounting direction that intersects the direction of gravity with respect to a cartridge mounting portion that includes an ink receiving tube, an electrical connection portion, and a locking lever,
A housing including an ink storage chamber for storing ink that can be supplied to the ink receiving tube and a tube insertion port into which the ink receiving tube can be inserted, the front surface positioned on the front side of the mounting direction, the mounting direction A housing having a rear surface, an upper surface and a bottom surface located on the rear side, wherein the tube insertion port is provided closer to the bottom surface than the upper surface of the front surface;
A substrate provided at a position above the tube insertion port on the front surface;
An electrical contact provided on the substrate and electrically connectable to the electrical connection;
An engagement portion provided on the upper surface at a position closer to the front surface than the rear surface, wherein the ink receiving tube is inserted into the tube insertion port, and the electrical contact and the electrical connection portion are connected. An engaging portion engageable with the locking lever in order to maintain the connected state;
An ink cartridge comprising:
(Aspect 62)
An ink cartridge that can be mounted along a mounting direction that intersects the direction of gravity with respect to a cartridge mounting portion that includes an ink receiving tube, an electrical connection portion, a biasing spring, and a locking lever, and is supplied to the ink receiving tube A housing including an ink storage chamber for storing possible ink and a tube insertion port into which the ink receiving tube can be inserted, and is located on the front surface in the mounting direction and on the rear side in the mounting direction A housing having a rear surface, an upper surface and a bottom surface, wherein the tube insertion port is provided at a position closer to the bottom surface than the top surface of the front surface;
A substrate provided at a position above the tube insertion port on the front surface;
An electrical contact provided on the substrate and electrically connectable to the electrical connection;
A force receiving portion provided at a position above the tube insertion opening and below the electrical contact on the front surface for biasing the ink cartridge in a removal direction opposite to the mounting direction. A force receiving portion capable of receiving the biasing force of the biasing spring;
An engagement portion provided on the upper surface at a position closer to the front surface than the rear surface, wherein the ink receiving tube is inserted into the tube insertion port against the biasing force, and the electric An engagement portion engageable with the locking lever in order to maintain a connection state where the contact and the electrical connection portion are connected;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 63)
An ink cartridge that can be mounted along a mounting direction that intersects the direction of gravity with respect to a cartridge mounting portion that includes an ink receiving tube, an electrical connection portion, a positioning member, a biasing spring, and a locking lever,
A housing including an ink storage chamber for storing ink that can be supplied to the ink receiving tube and a tube insertion port into which the ink receiving tube can be inserted, the front surface positioned on the front side of the mounting direction, the mounting direction A housing having a rear surface, an upper surface and a bottom surface located on the rear side, wherein the tube insertion port is provided closer to the bottom surface than the upper surface of the front surface;
A substrate provided at a position above the tube insertion port on the front surface;
An electrical contact provided on the substrate and electrically connectable to the electrical connection;
Movement of the housing in a direction along the front surface provided on the front surface above the tube insertion port, below the electrical contact, and closer to the electrical contact than the tube insertion port A positioning opening into which the positioning member can be inserted to regulate
A force receiving portion provided on the front surface above the tube insertion port and below the positioning port, for urging the ink cartridge in a removal direction opposite to the mounting direction. A force receiving portion capable of receiving the biasing force of the biasing spring;
An engagement portion provided at a position closer to the front surface than the rear surface of the upper surface, the insertion state in which the ink receiving tube is inserted into the tube insertion port against the biasing force; An engaging portion engageable with the locking lever in order to maintain a connection state in which the contact and the electrical connection portion are connected and an insertion state in which the positioning member is inserted into the positioning port;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 64)
An ink cartridge,
A housing having a plurality of side surfaces, an upper surface, and a bottom surface defined by the orientation of the ink cartridge in use, and having an ink storage chamber and an ink discharge port through which ink in the ink storage chamber can be discharged to the outside The plurality of side surfaces include a first side surface and a second side surface located on the opposite side of the first side surface across the ink storage chamber, and the ink discharge port is located on the bottom surface rather than the top surface of the first side surface. A housing provided at a position close to
An electrical contact located above the ink outlet;
A substrate provided on the first side surface and provided with the electrical contacts;
An engagement portion provided at a position closer to the electrical contact than the ink discharge port and closer to the first side surface than the second side surface of the upper surface;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 65)
An ink cartridge,
A housing having a plurality of side surfaces, an upper surface, and a bottom surface defined by the orientation of the ink cartridge in use, and having an ink storage chamber and an ink discharge port through which ink in the ink storage chamber can be discharged to the outside The plurality of side surfaces include a first side surface and a second side surface located on the opposite side of the first side surface across the ink storage chamber, and the ink discharge port is located on the bottom surface rather than the top surface of the first side surface. A housing provided at a position close to
An electrical contact located above the ink outlet;
A substrate provided on the first side surface and provided with the electrical contacts;
A force receiving portion provided at a position above the ink discharge port and below the electrical contact on the first side surface, wherein the housing is in a direction from the first side surface toward the second side surface. A force receiving portion capable of receiving a biasing force for biasing
The housing is moved in the direction against the urging force, provided closer to the electrical contact than the ink discharge port and closer to the first side than the second side of the upper surface. An engaging portion capable of receiving a regulating force for regulating
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 66)
An ink cartridge,
A housing having a plurality of side surfaces, an upper surface, and a bottom surface defined by the orientation of the ink cartridge in use, and having an ink storage chamber and an ink discharge port through which ink in the ink storage chamber can be discharged to the outside The plurality of side surfaces include a first side surface and a second side surface located on the opposite side of the first side surface across the ink storage chamber, and the ink discharge port is located on the bottom surface rather than the top surface of the first side surface. A housing provided at a position close to
An electrical contact located above the ink outlet;
A substrate provided on the first side surface and provided with the electrical contacts;
A positioning port provided on the first side surface, the positioning port provided above the ink discharge port, below the electrical contact, and closer to the electrical contact than the ink discharge port; ,
A force receiving portion provided at a position above the ink discharge port and below the positioning port on the first side surface, wherein the housing extends in a direction from the first side surface toward the second side surface. A force receiving portion capable of receiving a biasing force for biasing
The housing is moved in the direction against the urging force, provided closer to the electrical contact than the ink discharge port and closer to the first side than the second side of the upper surface. An engaging portion capable of receiving a regulating force for regulating
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 67)
An ink cartridge,
A housing having a plurality of side surfaces, an upper surface, and a bottom surface defined by the orientation of the ink cartridge in use, and having an ink storage chamber and an ink discharge port through which ink in the ink storage chamber can be discharged to the outside The plurality of side surfaces include a first side surface and a second side surface located on the opposite side of the first side surface across the ink storage chamber, and the ink discharge port is located on the bottom surface rather than the top surface of the first side surface. A housing provided at a position close to
An electrical contact located above the ink outlet;
A substrate provided on the first side surface and provided with the electrical contacts;
A positioning port provided on the first side surface, the positioning port provided above the ink discharge port, below the electrical contact, and closer to the electrical contact than the ink discharge port; ,
An engagement portion provided at a position closer to the electrical contact than the ink discharge port and closer to the first side surface than the second side surface of the upper surface;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 68)
An ink cartridge,
A housing including an ink storage chamber, the first surface provided with an ink discharge port capable of discharging the ink in the ink storage chamber to the outside, and positioned on the opposite side of the first surface across the ink storage chamber The second surface, the third surface that connects the first surface and the second surface and has a larger area than each of the first surface and the second surface, and the third surface across the ink storage chamber A housing having a fourth surface located on the opposite side of the surface, wherein the ink discharge port is provided at a position closer to the third surface than the fourth surface;
An electrical contact located above the ink discharge port with the third surface as a bottom surface, and a substrate provided on the first surface and supporting the electrical contact;
A recessed engaging portion provided at a position closer to the electrical contact than the ink discharge port and closer to the first surface than the second surface of the fourth surface;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 69)
An ink cartridge,
A housing including an ink storage chamber, the first surface provided with an ink discharge port capable of discharging the ink in the ink storage chamber to the outside, and positioned on the opposite side of the first surface across the ink storage chamber The second surface, the third surface that connects the first surface and the second surface and has a larger area than each of the first surface and the second surface, and the third surface across the ink storage chamber A housing having a fourth surface located on the opposite side of the surface, wherein the ink discharge port is provided closer to the third surface than the fourth surface;
An electrical contact located above the ink discharge port with the third surface as a bottom surface, and a substrate provided on the first surface and supporting the electrical contact;
A force receiving portion provided at a position above the ink discharge port and below the substrate with the third surface as the bottom surface of the first surface, wherein the third surface is defined as the bottom surface. A force receiving portion capable of receiving an urging force for urging the housing in a direction from the first surface toward the second surface in a state where
It is provided at a position closer to the electrical contact than the ink discharge port and closer to the first surface than the second surface of the fourth surface, and from the first surface against the biasing force. A recess-shaped engaging portion capable of receiving a regulating force for regulating movement of the housing in a direction toward two surfaces;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 70)
An ink cartridge,
A housing including an ink storage chamber, the first surface provided with an ink discharge port capable of discharging the ink in the ink storage chamber to the outside, and positioned on the opposite side of the first surface across the ink storage chamber The second surface, the third surface that connects the first surface and the second surface and has a larger area than each of the first surface and the second surface, and the third surface across the ink storage chamber A housing having a fourth surface located on the opposite side of the surface, wherein the ink discharge port is provided at a position closer to the third surface than the fourth surface;
An electrical contact located above the ink discharge port with the third surface as a bottom surface, and a substrate provided on the first surface and supporting the electrical contact;
A positioning port provided on the first surface above the ink discharge port, below the substrate and closer to the substrate than the ink discharge port, with the third surface as the bottom surface A positioning port for restricting movement of the housing in a direction along the first surface;
A force receiving portion provided at a position above the ink discharge port and below the positioning port with the third surface as a bottom surface of the first surface, wherein the third surface is a bottom surface. A force receiving portion capable of receiving an urging force for urging the housing in a direction from the first surface toward the second surface in the state of
It is provided at a position closer to the electrical contact than the ink discharge port and closer to the first surface than the second surface of the fourth surface, and from the first surface against the biasing force. A recess-shaped engaging portion capable of receiving a regulating force for regulating movement of the housing in a direction toward two surfaces;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 71)
An ink cartridge,
A housing including an ink storage chamber, the first surface provided with an ink discharge port capable of discharging the ink in the ink storage chamber to the outside, and positioned on the opposite side of the first surface across the ink storage chamber The second surface, the third surface that connects the first surface and the second surface and has a larger area than each of the first surface and the second surface, and the third surface across the ink storage chamber A housing having a fourth surface located on the opposite side of the surface, wherein the ink discharge port is provided at a position closer to the third surface than the fourth surface;
An electrical contact located above the ink discharge port with the third surface as a bottom surface, and a substrate provided on the first surface and supporting the electrical contact;
A positioning port provided on a position of the first surface above the ink discharge port, below the substrate and closer to the substrate than the ink discharge port, with the third surface as a bottom surface; ,
It is provided at a position closer to the electrical contact than the ink discharge port and closer to the first surface than the second surface of the fourth surface, and has a region intersecting a direction parallel to the perpendicular of the substrate. A recess-shaped engaging portion;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 72)
An ink cartridge,
A substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing including an ink storage chamber, (a) a first surface provided with an ink discharge port capable of discharging the ink in the ink storage chamber to the outside, and (b) sandwiching the ink storage chamber A second surface located on the opposite side of the first surface; and (c) a third surface that intersects the first surface and the second surface and has a larger area than each of the first surface and the second surface. A surface, (d) a fourth surface located on the opposite side of the third surface across the ink storage chamber and having a larger area than each of the first surface and the second surface, (e) the first surface A fifth surface that intersects the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface and has a larger area than each of the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface. (F) located on the opposite side of the fifth surface across the ink storage chamber and the first surface, the second surface, And a sixth surface having a larger area than each of the third surface and the fourth surface, and (g) a housing provided with the ink discharge port closer to the third surface than the fourth surface. Body,
A substrate provided on the first surface so as to be positioned above the ink discharge port with the third surface as a bottom surface;
A plurality of electrical contacts provided on the substrate, the plurality of electrical contacts arranged side by side along a direction intersecting the direction from the third surface toward the fourth surface;
A recessed engagement portion provided at a position closer to the substrate than the ink discharge port and closer to the first surface than the second surface of the fourth surface;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 73)
An ink cartridge,
An ink cartridge,
A substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing including an ink storage chamber, wherein: (a) a first surface provided with an ink discharge port capable of discharging ink in the ink storage chamber to the outside; and (b) sandwiching the ink storage chamber A second surface located on the opposite side of the first surface; and (c) a third surface that intersects the first surface and the second surface and has a larger area than each of the first surface and the second surface. A surface, (d) a fourth surface located on the opposite side of the third surface across the ink storage chamber and having a larger area than each of the first surface and the second surface, (e) the first surface A fifth surface that intersects the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface and has a larger area than each of the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface. (F) located on the opposite side of the fifth surface across the ink storage chamber and the first surface, the second surface, And a sixth surface having a larger area than each of the third surface and the fourth surface, and (g) a casing provided with the ink discharge port closer to the third surface than the fourth surface When,
A substrate provided on the first surface so as to be positioned above the ink discharge port with the third surface as a bottom surface;
A plurality of electrical contacts provided on the substrate, the plurality of electrical contacts arranged side by side along a direction intersecting the direction from the third surface toward the fourth surface;
A force receiving portion provided at a position above the ink discharge port and below the substrate in a state where the third surface is the bottom surface of the first surface; A force receiving portion capable of receiving an urging force for urging the housing in a direction toward two surfaces;
It is provided at a position closer to the substrate than the ink discharge port and closer to the first surface than the second surface of the fourth surface, and from the first surface to the second surface against the biasing force. A concave-shaped engaging portion capable of receiving a regulating force for regulating movement of the housing in a direction toward the surface;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 74)
An ink cartridge,
A substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing including an ink storage chamber, (a) a first surface provided with an ink discharge port capable of discharging the ink in the ink storage chamber to the outside, and (b) sandwiching the ink storage chamber A second surface located on the opposite side of the first surface; and (c) a third surface that intersects the first surface and the second surface and has a larger area than each of the first surface and the second surface. A surface, (d) a fourth surface located on the opposite side of the third surface across the ink storage chamber and having a larger area than each of the first surface and the second surface, (e) the first surface A fifth surface that intersects the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface and has a larger area than each of the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface. (F) located on the opposite side of the fifth surface across the ink storage chamber and the first surface, the second surface, And a sixth surface having a larger area than each of the third surface and the fourth surface, and (g) a housing in which the ink discharge port is provided at a position closer to the third surface than the fourth surface. Body,
A substrate provided on the first surface so as to be positioned above the ink discharge port with the third surface as a bottom surface;
A plurality of electrical contacts provided on the substrate, the plurality of electrical contacts arranged side by side along a direction intersecting the direction from the third surface toward the fourth surface;
The first surface is provided at a position above the ink discharge port and below the substrate and closer to the plurality of electrical contacts than the ink discharge port with the third surface as the bottom surface. A positioning port for restricting movement of the housing in a direction along the first surface;
A force receiving portion provided at a position above the ink discharge port and below the positioning port with the third surface as the bottom surface of the first surface, from the first surface to the first surface A force receiving portion capable of receiving an urging force for urging the housing in a direction toward the second surface;
It is provided at a position closer to the substrate than the ink discharge port and closer to the first surface than the second surface of the fourth surface, and from the first surface to the second surface against the biasing force. A concave-shaped engaging portion capable of receiving a regulating force for regulating movement of the housing in a direction toward the surface;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 75)
An ink cartridge,
A substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing including an ink storage chamber, wherein: (a) a first surface provided with an ink discharge port capable of discharging ink in the ink storage chamber to the outside; and (b) sandwiching the ink storage chamber A second surface located on the opposite side of the first surface; and (c) a third surface that intersects the first surface and the second surface and has a larger area than each of the first surface and the second surface. A surface, (d) a fourth surface located on the opposite side of the third surface across the ink storage chamber and having a larger area than each of the first surface and the second surface, (e) the first surface A fifth surface that intersects the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface and has a larger area than each of the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface. (F) located on the opposite side of the fifth surface across the ink storage chamber and the first surface, the second surface, And a sixth surface having an area larger than each of the third surface and the fourth surface, and (g) a casing provided with the ink discharge port closer to the third surface than the fourth surface When,
A substrate provided on the first surface so as to be positioned above the ink discharge port with the third surface as a bottom surface;
A plurality of electrical contacts provided on the substrate, the plurality of electrical contacts arranged side by side along a direction intersecting the direction from the third surface toward the fourth surface;
The first surface is provided at a position above the ink discharge port and below the substrate and closer to the plurality of electrical contacts than the ink discharge port with the third surface as the bottom surface. A positioning port;
A recessed engagement portion provided at a position closer to the substrate than the ink discharge port and closer to the first surface than the second surface of the fourth surface;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 76)
An ink cartridge,
A housing having an ink storage chamber, an ink discharge port capable of discharging ink in the ink storage chamber, and a hollow path connecting the ink storage chamber and the ink discharge port, wherein the ink discharge port is provided. A first side surface, a second side surface located on the opposite side of the first side surface across the ink storage chamber, a top surface and a bottom surface, and the ink discharge port is provided at a position closer to the bottom surface than the top surface. And a housing
A substrate provided in the housing;
An electrical contact provided on the substrate, the electrical contact having a region located above the ink discharge port and intersecting a direction parallel to the extending direction of the hollow path;
An engagement portion provided in a position closer to the electrical contact than the ink discharge port of the housing, and having a region intersecting a direction parallel to the extending direction of the hollow path;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 77)
An ink cartridge,
A housing having an ink storage chamber, an ink discharge port capable of discharging ink in the ink storage chamber, and a hollow path connecting the ink storage chamber and the ink discharge port, wherein the ink discharge port is provided. A first side surface, a second side surface located on the opposite side of the first side surface across the ink storage chamber, a top surface and a bottom surface, and the ink discharge port is provided at a position closer to the bottom surface than the top surface. And a housing
A substrate provided in the housing;
An electrical contact provided on the substrate, the electrical contact having a region located above the ink discharge port and intersecting a direction parallel to the extending direction of the hollow path;
The first side surface is provided at a position above the ink discharge port and below the electrical contact, parallel to the extending direction and in the depth direction from the first side surface toward the second side surface. A force receiving portion capable of receiving a biasing force for biasing the housing;
An engagement portion provided at a position closer to the electrical contact than the ink discharge port of the housing, intersecting a direction parallel to the extending direction and resisting the biasing force in the depth direction An engaging portion having a region capable of receiving a regulating force for regulating the movement of the housing to
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 78)
An ink cartridge,
A housing having an ink storage chamber, an ink discharge port capable of discharging ink in the ink storage chamber, and a hollow path connecting the ink storage chamber and the ink discharge port, wherein the ink discharge port is provided. A first side surface, a second side surface located on the opposite side of the first side surface across the ink storage chamber, a top surface and a bottom surface, and the ink discharge port is provided at a position closer to the bottom surface than the top surface. And a housing
A substrate provided in the housing;
An electrical contact provided on the substrate, the electrical contact having a region located above the ink discharge port and intersecting a direction parallel to the extending direction of the hollow path;
A positioning portion provided at a position above the ink discharge port and below the substrate of the casing for restricting movement of the casing in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction;
The first side surface is provided at a position above the ink discharge port and below the positioning port, parallel to the extending direction and in the depth direction from the first side surface toward the second side surface. A force receiving portion capable of receiving a biasing force for biasing the housing;
The casing is moved closer to the electrical contact than the ink discharge port, intersects the direction parallel to the extending direction, and moves the casing in the depth direction against the biasing force. An engaging portion having a region capable of receiving a regulating force for regulating
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 79)
An ink cartridge,
A housing having an ink storage chamber, an ink discharge port capable of discharging ink in the ink storage chamber, and a hollow path connecting the ink storage chamber and the ink discharge port, wherein the ink discharge port is provided. A first side surface, a second side surface located on the opposite side of the first side surface across the ink storage chamber, a top surface and a bottom surface, and the ink discharge port is provided at a position closer to the bottom surface than the top surface. And a housing
A substrate provided in the housing;
An electrical contact provided on the substrate, the electrical contact having a region located above the ink discharge port and intersecting a direction parallel to the extending direction of the hollow path;
A positioning portion provided at a position closer to the first side surface than the second side surface of the housing, and provided at a position above the ink discharge port and below the substrate;
An engagement portion provided at a position closer to the electrical contact than the ink discharge port of the housing, and having a region intersecting a direction parallel to the extending direction;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 80)
An ink cartridge,
A housing including an ink storage chamber, the first side surface provided with an ink discharge port capable of discharging the ink in the ink storage chamber to the outside, and positioned on the opposite side of the first side surface with the ink storage chamber interposed therebetween A housing having a second side surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the ink discharge port is located closer to the bottom surface than the top surface;
A substrate provided in the housing;
An electrical contact provided on the substrate, the electrical contact having a region located above the ink discharge port and intersecting a direction parallel to a center line of the ink discharge port;
An engagement portion provided at a position closer to the electrical contact than the ink discharge port and having a region intersecting a direction parallel to the center line;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 81)
An ink cartridge,
A housing including an ink storage chamber, the first side surface provided with an ink discharge port capable of discharging the ink in the ink storage chamber to the outside, and positioned on the opposite side of the first side surface with the ink storage chamber interposed therebetween A housing having a second side surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the ink discharge port is located closer to the bottom surface than the top surface;
A substrate provided in the housing;
An electrical contact provided on the substrate, the electrical contact having a region located above the ink discharge port and intersecting a direction parallel to a center line of the ink discharge port; and the first side surface, An attachment provided at a position above the ink discharge port and below the electrical contact, for urging the casing in a depth direction parallel to the center line and from the first side surface toward the second side surface. A force receiving part capable of receiving power,
An engagement portion provided at a position closer to the electrical contact than the ink discharge port of the casing, intersecting a direction parallel to the center line and resisting the urging force in the depth direction An engaging portion having a region capable of receiving a regulating force for regulating the movement of the housing;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 82)
An ink cartridge,
A housing including an ink storage chamber, the first side surface provided with an ink discharge port capable of discharging the ink in the ink storage chamber to the outside, and positioned on the opposite side of the first side surface with the ink storage chamber interposed therebetween A housing having a second side surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the ink discharge port is located closer to the bottom surface than the top surface;
A substrate provided in the housing;
An electrical contact provided on the substrate, the electrical contact having a region located above the ink discharge port and intersecting a direction parallel to a center line of the ink discharge port;
Movement of the housing in a direction perpendicular to the direction parallel to the center line, the positioning portion provided at a position above the ink discharge port and below the electrical contact of the housing. Positioning part for regulating
The first side surface is provided at a position above the ink discharge port and below the positioning portion, and is parallel to the center line and in the depth direction from the first side surface to the second side surface. A force receiving portion capable of receiving a biasing force for biasing
An engagement portion provided at a position closer to the electrical contact than the ink discharge port of the casing, intersecting a direction parallel to the center line and resisting the urging force in the depth direction An engaging portion having a region capable of receiving a regulating force for regulating the movement of the housing;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 83)
An ink cartridge,
A housing including an ink storage chamber, the first side surface provided with an ink discharge port capable of discharging the ink in the ink storage chamber to the outside, and positioned on the opposite side of the first side surface with the ink storage chamber interposed therebetween A housing having a second side surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the ink discharge port is located closer to the bottom surface than the top surface;
A substrate provided in the housing;
An electrical contact provided on the substrate, the electrical contact having a region located above the ink discharge port and intersecting a direction parallel to a center line of the ink discharge port;
A positioning portion provided at a position closer to the first side surface than the second side surface of the housing, and provided at a position above the ink discharge port and below the electrical contact;
An engagement portion provided at a position closer to the electrical contact than the ink discharge port of the housing, and having a region intersecting a direction parallel to the center line;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 84)
An ink cartridge,
A housing including an ink storage chamber, the housing having a first side surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface including a formation region in which an ink discharge port capable of discharging the ink in the ink storage chamber to the outside is formed, and the ink discharge port A housing provided at a position closer to the bottom surface than the top surface;
A substrate provided in the housing;
An electrical contact provided on the substrate, the electrical contact having a region located above the ink discharge port and intersecting a direction parallel to a perpendicular of the formation region;
An engagement portion having a region that is closer to the electrical contact than the ink discharge port and intersects the direction parallel to the perpendicular of the formation region;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 85)
An ink cartridge,
A housing including an ink storage chamber, the first side surface including a formation region in which an ink discharge port capable of discharging the ink in the ink storage chamber to the outside is formed; and the first side surface across the ink storage chamber A housing having a second side surface, an upper surface and a bottom surface located on the opposite side, wherein the ink discharge port is provided at a position closer to the bottom surface than the top surface;
A substrate provided in the housing;
An electrical contact provided on the substrate, the electrical contact having a region located above the ink discharge port and intersecting a direction parallel to a perpendicular of the formation region, and the ink discharge of the first side surface Provided at a position above the outlet and below the electrical contact, for attaching the housing in a depth direction parallel to the perpendicular of the formation region and from the first side surface toward the second side surface. A force receiving part capable of receiving power,
An engagement portion provided at a position closer to the electrical contact than the ink discharge port of the housing, intersecting a direction parallel to a perpendicular of the formation region and resisting the biasing force An engaging portion having a region capable of receiving a regulating force for regulating movement of the housing in a direction;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 86)
An ink cartridge,
A housing including an ink storage chamber, the first side surface including a formation region in which an ink discharge port capable of discharging the ink in the ink storage chamber to the outside is formed; and the first side surface across the ink storage chamber A housing having a second side surface, an upper surface and a bottom surface located on the opposite side, wherein the ink discharge port is provided at a position closer to the bottom surface than the top surface;
A substrate provided in the housing;
An electrical contact provided on the substrate, the electrical contact having a region located above the ink discharge port and intersecting a direction parallel to a perpendicular of the formation region;
A positioning portion of the casing provided above the ink discharge port and below the electrical contact, the casing in a direction orthogonal to a direction parallel to the perpendicular of the formation region A positioning portion for restricting movement of the
The first side surface is provided at a position above the ink discharge port and below the positioning portion, parallel to the perpendicular of the formation region and in the depth direction from the first side surface to the second side surface. A force receiving portion capable of receiving a biasing force for biasing the housing;
An engagement portion provided at a position closer to the electrical contact than the ink discharge port of the housing, intersecting a direction parallel to a perpendicular of the formation region and resisting the biasing force An engaging portion having a region capable of receiving a regulating force for regulating movement of the housing in a direction;
An ink cartridge comprising:

(Aspect 87)
An ink cartridge,
A housing including an ink storage chamber, the housing having a first side surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface including a formation region in which an ink discharge port capable of discharging the ink in the ink storage chamber to the outside is formed, and the ink discharge port A housing provided at a position closer to the bottom surface than the top surface;
A substrate provided in the housing;
An electrical contact provided on the substrate, the electrical contact having a region located above the ink discharge port and intersecting a direction parallel to a perpendicular of the formation region;
A positioning portion provided at a position above the ink discharge port and below the electrical contact of the housing;
An engagement portion provided in a position closer to the electrical contact than the ink discharge port of the housing, and having an area intersecting with a direction parallel to a perpendicular of the formation area;
An ink cartridge comprising:

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the novel ink cartridge and inkjet printer which can implement | achieve the favorable connection of an ink cartridge and a cartridge mounting part are provided.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink cartridge 2 Case 2a Upper surface 2b Bottom surface 2c Front surface 2d Rear surface 2e Left surface 2f Right surface 3 Substrate 4 Electrical contact (electrode pad)
4a Contact position 5 Memory element 6 Positioning part (positioning hole, positioning port)
7 Atmospheric communication part (atmospheric communication port)
8 Tube insertion part (tube insertion port)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 Identification part 10 Position control surface 11 Ink storage chamber 12 Flexible member 13 Negative pressure generating spring 14 Plate member 15 Filter 16 Atmospheric communication path 17 Atmospheric communication port sealing film 18 Pipe insertion port sealing film 19 Seal member 20 Seal member Unit 21 Exterior 22 Pipe insertion path 23 Eject spring contact part (force receiving part)
24 Engagement part (concave part)
25 Label 26 Air opening 27 Penetration part (penetration opening)
30 Printer body 31 Carriage 32 Inkjet head 33 Mounting portion (cartridge mounting portion, cartridge holder)
34 Conveying means 35 Control unit 36 Input / output unit 37 Print medium 38 Head unit (cartridge mounting unit)
40 First housing member 41 Second housing member 46 Support member for electrical connection portion 47 Electrical connection unit 48 Plate 49 Frame 50 Mounting guide 51 Opening member (opening pin)
52 Ink receiving member (ink receiving tube)
53 Positioning member (Positioning pin)
54 Locking part (locking protrusion)
55 Electrical connections (electrode terminals, body-side electrical contacts)
56 Positioning wall 57 Biasing member (eject spring)
58 Locking lever 59 Joint unit (Body side connection unit)
60 Identification member 61 Electrical contact (electrode pad)
61a Contact position 62 Memory element 63 Substrate 71 Electrical contact (electrode pad)
71a Contact position 72 Memory element 73 Substrate 74 Seal member 75 Valve 76 Spring 77 Interlocking valve 78 Support shaft 81 Substrate support member 101 Ink cartridge 201 Ink cartridge 224 Engagement part (protrusion part)
301 Ink cartridge 324 Engagement part (curved surface or slope)
401 Ink cartridge 424 engaging portion (plane)
501 Ink cartridge 524 Engagement part (protrusion part)
601 Ink cartridge 624 Engagement unit 701 Ink cartridge 724 Engagement unit 725 Elastic body 801 Ink cartridge 901 Ink cartridge 936 Protrusion 937 Elastic body (spring)
938 Protrusion 1001 Ink cartridge 1003 Substrate 1004 Electrical contact 1037 Rotating shaft 1101 Ink cartridge 1103 Substrate 1104 Electrical contact 1105 Storage element 1201 Ink cartridge 1203 Substrate 1204 Electrical contact 1205 Storage element 1301 Ink cartridge 1303 Substrate 1304 Electrical contact 1305 Storage element 1401 Storage element 1401 Positioning part (multiple protrusions)
1501 Ink cartridge 1506 Positioning portion (slit forming member)
1601 Ink cartridge 1606 Positioning unit 1701 Ink cartridge 1702c1 First front wall forming member 1702c2 Second front wall forming member 1801 Ink cartridge 1802 Housing 1901 Ink cartridge 1902 Housing 1924 Engaging unit 1925 Rotating shaft 1926 Engaging lever 2001 Ink cartridge 2017 Atmospheric communication port sealing film 2101 Ink cartridge 2201 Ink cartridge 2301 Ink cartridge

Claims (44)

An ink cartridge that can be mounted along a mounting direction that intersects the direction of gravity with respect to a cartridge mounting unit that includes an ink receiving tube and a plurality of electrical connections,
A housing including an ink storage chamber for storing ink that can be supplied to the ink receiving tube, the housing having a first side surface, an upper surface, and a bottom surface located at a tip in the mounting direction;
A tube insertion portion provided on the first side surface at a position closer to the bottom surface than the top surface and into which the ink receiving tube can be inserted;
A substrate provided in the housing, wherein the substrate is located above the tube insertion portion and has a region intersecting the mounting direction;
A plurality of electrical contacts that can be electrically connected to the plurality of electrical connection portions, and are arranged side by side in the region of the substrate along a direction intersecting a height direction from the bottom surface to the top surface. Electrical contacts,
A positioning portion provided in a position lower than and the plurality of electrical contacts in above said pipe insertion portion, of the housing in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction provided in the cartridge mounting portion A positioning member that can engage with a positioning member that regulates movement , and
The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the direction intersecting the height direction is a horizontal direction orthogonal to the height direction .   The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the region of the substrate is parallel to the first side surface.   The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is provided on the first side surface.   The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the region of the substrate is inclined with respect to the first side surface and the upper surface.   The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is provided on a slope between the first side surface and the upper surface. An ink cartridge that can be mounted along a mounting direction that intersects the direction of gravity with respect to a cartridge mounting unit that includes an ink receiving tube and a plurality of electrical connections,
A housing including an ink storage chamber for storing ink that can be supplied to the ink receiving tube, the housing having a first side surface, an upper surface, and a bottom surface located at a tip in the mounting direction;
A tube insertion portion provided on the first side surface at a position closer to the bottom surface than the top surface and into which the ink receiving tube can be inserted;
A substrate provided on the upper surface;
A plurality of electrical contacts provided on the substrate and electrically connectable to the plurality of electrical connection portions; and a positioning portion provided at a position above the tube insertion portion and below the plurality of electrical contacts. met with, and a positioning member capable of engaging with the positioning portion for restricting the movement of the housing in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction provided in the cartridge mounting portion,
Each of the plurality of electrical contacts has a region intersecting the mounting direction,
The regions of the plurality of electrical contacts are arranged side by side along a direction intersecting a height direction from the bottom surface to the top surface ;
The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the direction intersecting the height direction is a horizontal direction orthogonal to the height direction . The housing includes a second side surface located at a rear end in the mounting direction, the first side surface, the second side surface, a third side surface connected to the top surface and the bottom surface, and the ink storage chamber interposed therebetween. A fourth side surface located on the opposite side of the third side surface and connected to the first side surface, the second side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface;
The direction intersecting with the height direction, the third side surface and the ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the a fourth direction orthogonal to the side surface. The third side surface has a larger area than each of the first side surface, the second side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface,
The fourth side surface has a larger area than each of the first side surface, the second side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface,
The first side surface has an area smaller than each of the third side surface, the fourth side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface,
The ink cartridge according to claim 7 , wherein the second side surface has an area smaller than each of the third side surface, the fourth side surface, the top surface, and the bottom surface. An ink cartridge that can be mounted along a mounting direction that intersects the direction of gravity with respect to a cartridge mounting unit that includes an ink receiving tube and a plurality of electrical connections,
A housing including an ink storage chamber for storing ink that can be supplied to the ink receiving tube, a first side surface located at a front end in the mounting direction, a second side surface positioned at a rear end in the mounting direction, A third side surface connecting the first side surface and the second side surface, a fourth side surface positioned on the opposite side of the third side surface across the ink storage chamber and connecting the first side surface and the second side surface, an upper surface, and A housing having a bottom surface;
A tube insertion portion provided on the first side surface at a position closer to the bottom surface than the top surface and into which the ink receiving tube can be inserted;
A substrate provided on the first side surface and positioned above the tube insertion portion;
A plurality of electrical contacts that can be electrically connected to the plurality of electrical connection portions, and are arranged side by side on the substrate along a direction orthogonal to the third side surface and the fourth side surface. When,
A positioning portion provided in a position lower than and the plurality of electrical contacts in above said pipe insertion portion, of the housing in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction provided in the cartridge mounting portion A positioning member that can engage with a positioning member that regulates movement , and
The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the direction intersecting the height direction is a horizontal direction orthogonal to the height direction . The third side surface has a larger area than each of the first side surface, the second side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface,
The fourth side surface has a larger area than each of the first side surface, the second side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface,
The first side surface has an area smaller than each of the third side surface, the fourth side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface,
The ink cartridge according to claim 9 , wherein the second side surface has an area smaller than each of the third side surface, the fourth side surface, the top surface, and the bottom surface. A tube insertion path provided in the housing for connecting the tube insertion portion and the ink storage chamber;
An elastic body provided in the tube insertion path, the elastic body being elastically deformable with the insertion of the ink receiving tube into the tube insertion path;
Furthermore the ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a. The ink cartridge according to claim 11 , wherein the elastic body includes a rubber member capable of contacting an outer peripheral surface of the ink receiving tube inserted into the tube insertion path. A locking lever provided in the cartridge mounting portion to maintain the insertion state in which the ink receiving tube is inserted into the tube insertion portion and the connection state in which the plurality of electrical contacts and the plurality of electrical connection portions are connected. And an engaging portion engageable with
The ink cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the engaging portion is provided at a position closer to the upper surface than the bottom surface. A locking lever provided in the cartridge mounting portion to maintain the insertion state in which the ink receiving tube is inserted into the tube insertion portion and the connection state in which the plurality of electrical contacts and the plurality of electrical connection portions are connected. And an engaging portion engageable with
The engagement portion, the ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that provided on the top surface. A locking lever provided in the cartridge mounting portion to maintain the insertion state in which the ink receiving tube is inserted into the tube insertion portion and the connection state in which the plurality of electrical contacts and the plurality of electrical connection portions are connected. And an engaging portion engageable with
The engagement portion, the ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a projection engagable with the recess of the locking lever. The positioning portion, the ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that is provided at a position closer to the plurality of electrical contacts than the pipe insertion portion. The positioning part has a positioning port into which the positioning member is inserted,
The ink cartridge according to claim 16 , wherein the positioning port is provided on the first side surface. Direction perpendicular to the mounting direction, the ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that from the bottom surface is a height direction toward the top surface. The direction perpendicular to the mounting direction, the ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that said a first direction along the side. An ink cartridge,
A housing having a plurality of side surfaces, an upper surface, and a bottom surface defined by the orientation of the ink cartridge in use, and having an ink storage chamber and an ink discharge port through which ink in the ink storage chamber can be discharged to the outside The housing includes a first side surface, and the ink discharge port is located closer to the bottom surface than the top surface of the first side surface;
A substrate provided on the first side surface;
A plurality of electrical contacts positioned above the ink discharge port, the plurality of electrical contacts arranged side by side on the substrate along a direction intersecting a height direction from the bottom surface toward the top surface;
A positioning portion provided at a position above the tube insertion portion and below the plurality of electrical contacts;
With
The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the direction intersecting the height direction is a horizontal direction orthogonal to the height direction . An ink cartridge,
A housing having a plurality of side surfaces, an upper surface, and a bottom surface defined by the orientation of the ink cartridge in use, and having an ink storage chamber and an ink discharge port through which ink in the ink storage chamber can be discharged to the outside The housing includes a first side surface, and the ink discharge port is located closer to the bottom surface than the top surface of the first side surface;
A substrate provided in the housing and having a region intersecting a perpendicular of the first side surface;
A plurality of electrical contacts positioned above the ink discharge port, the plurality of electrical contacts arranged side by side in the region of the substrate along a direction intersecting a height direction from the bottom surface toward the top surface. When,
A positioning portion provided at a position above the tube insertion portion and below the plurality of electrical contacts;
With
The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the direction intersecting the height direction is a horizontal direction orthogonal to the height direction . The plurality of side surfaces sandwich the ink storage chamber with a second side surface located opposite to the first side surface across the ink storage chamber, a third side surface connecting the first side surface and the second side surface, and the ink storage chamber. And a fourth side surface located on the opposite side of the third side surface and connecting the first side surface and the second side surface,
The ink cartridge according to claim 20 or 21 , wherein the direction intersecting the height direction is a direction orthogonal to the third side surface and the fourth side surface. The third side surface has a larger area than each of the first side surface, the second side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface,
The fourth side surface has a larger area than each of the first side surface, the second side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface,
The first side surface has an area smaller than each of the third side surface, the fourth side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface,
The ink cartridge according to claim 22 , wherein the second side surface has an area smaller than each of the third side surface, the fourth side surface, the top surface, and the bottom surface. An engagement portion provided at a position closer to the plurality of electrical contacts than the ink discharge port;
The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 20 to 23 , wherein the engaging portion is provided at a position closer to the top surface than the bottom surface. An engagement portion provided at a position closer to the plurality of electrical contacts than the ink discharge port;
The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 20 to 23 , wherein the engaging portion is provided on the upper surface. An engagement portion provided at a position closer to the plurality of electrical contacts than the ink discharge port;
The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 20 to 25 , wherein the engaging portion is a concave portion having a region intersecting with a direction parallel to a perpendicular line of the substrate. A hollow path provided in the housing and connecting the ink storage chamber and the ink outlet;
A rubber member provided in the hollow path;
The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 20 to 26 , further comprising: An ink cartridge,
A substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing including an ink storage chamber, wherein: (a) a first surface provided with an ink discharge port capable of discharging ink in the ink storage chamber to the outside; and (b) sandwiching the ink storage chamber And (c) a third surface that intersects with the first surface and the second surface and has a larger area than each of the first surface and the second surface. A surface, (d) a fourth surface located on the opposite side of the third surface across the ink storage chamber and having a larger area than each of the first surface and the second surface, (e) the first surface A fifth surface intersecting the surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface and having a larger area than each of the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface (F) located on the opposite side of the fifth surface across the ink storage chamber and the first surface; (G) the ink discharge port is closer to the third surface than the fourth surface, and the sixth surface has a larger area than each of the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface. A housing provided at a position;
A substrate provided on the first surface and positioned above the ink discharge port in a state where the third surface is a bottom surface;
A plurality of electrical contacts provided on the substrate, the plurality of electrical contacts arranged side by side along a direction intersecting the direction from the third surface toward the fourth surface;
A positioning portion provided at a position above the tube insertion portion and below the plurality of electrical contacts;
Equipped with a,
The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the direction intersecting the height direction is a horizontal direction orthogonal to the height direction . 29. The ink cartridge according to claim 28 , wherein a direction from the third surface toward the fourth surface is a direction orthogonal to the fifth surface and the sixth surface. An engagement portion provided at a position closer to the plurality of electrical contacts than the ink discharge port;
30. The ink cartridge according to claim 28 , wherein the engaging portion is a concave-shaped engaging portion having a region intersecting with a direction parallel to a perpendicular line of the substrate. The ink cartridge according to claim 30 , wherein the engaging portion is provided at a position closer to the first surface than the second surface of the fourth surface. A hollow path provided in the housing and connecting the ink storage chamber and the ink outlet;
A rubber member provided in the hollow path;
The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 20 to 31 , further comprising: An ink cartridge,
A housing having an ink storage chamber, an ink discharge port capable of discharging ink in the ink storage chamber, and a hollow path connecting the ink storage chamber and the ink discharge port, wherein the ink discharge port is provided. A housing having a side surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the ink discharge port is located closer to the bottom surface than the top surface;
A substrate provided in the housing;
A plurality of electrical contacts provided on the substrate, the plurality of electrical contacts arranged side by side along a direction intersecting a height direction from the bottom surface toward the top surface;
A positioning portion provided at a position above the tube insertion portion and below the plurality of electrical contacts,
The direction intersecting the height direction is a horizontal direction orthogonal to the height direction,
Each of the plurality of electrical contacts has an area located above the ink discharge port and intersecting with a direction parallel to the extending direction of the hollow path. An ink cartridge,
A housing including an ink storage chamber, having a side surface, an upper surface, and a bottom surface provided with an ink discharge port capable of discharging ink in the ink storage chamber to the outside, wherein the ink discharge port is located on the bottom surface rather than the top surface. A housing provided at a position close to
A substrate provided in the housing;
A plurality of electrical contacts provided on the substrate, the plurality of electrical contacts arranged side by side along a direction intersecting a height direction from the bottom surface toward the top surface;
A positioning portion provided at a position above the tube insertion portion and below the plurality of electrical contacts,
The direction intersecting the height direction is a horizontal direction orthogonal to the height direction,
Each of the plurality of electrical contacts has a region that is located above the ink discharge port and intersects with a direction parallel to the center line of the ink discharge port. An ink cartridge,
A housing including an ink storage chamber, and having a side surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface including a formation region in which an ink discharge port capable of discharging ink in the ink storage chamber to the outside is formed, and the ink discharge port is the top surface A housing provided closer to the bottom than the bottom,
A substrate provided in the housing;
A plurality of electrical contacts provided on the substrate, the plurality of electrical contacts arranged side by side along a direction intersecting a height direction from the bottom surface toward the top surface;
A positioning portion provided at a position above the tube insertion portion and below the plurality of electrical contacts ,
The direction intersecting the height direction is a horizontal direction orthogonal to the height direction,
Each of the plurality of electrical contacts has an area that is located above the ink discharge port and intersects with a direction parallel to a perpendicular line of the formation area. The casing includes a second side surface located on the opposite side of the side surface across the ink storage chamber, a third side surface connecting the side surface and the second side surface, and the third side surface across the ink storage chamber. And a fourth side surface connecting the side surface and the second side surface.
36. The ink cartridge according to claim 33 , wherein the direction intersecting the height direction is a direction orthogonal to the third side surface and the fourth side surface. The third side surface has a larger area than each of the side surface, the second side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface,
The fourth side surface has a larger area than each of the side surface, the second side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface,
The side surface has an area smaller than each of the third side surface, the fourth side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface,
37. The ink cartridge according to claim 36 , wherein the second side surface has an area smaller than each of the third side surface, the fourth side surface, the top surface, and the bottom surface. 37. The ink cartridge according to claim 33 , further comprising an engaging portion provided at a position closer to the plurality of electrical contacts than the ink discharge port. The ink cartridge according to claim 38 , wherein the engaging portion is provided at a position closer to the upper surface than the bottom surface. 39. The ink cartridge according to claim 38 , wherein the engaging portion is provided on the upper surface. 41. The ink cartridge according to claim 38 , wherein the engaging portion is a concave portion having a region intersecting with a direction parallel to a perpendicular line of the substrate. A hollow path provided in the housing and connecting the ink storage chamber and the ink outlet;
A rubber member provided in the hollow path;
42. The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 33 to 41 , further comprising: An ink jet printer comprising: a cartridge mounting portion including an ink receiving tube and a plurality of electrical connection portions; and an ink cartridge mountable along a mounting direction intersecting a gravitational direction with respect to the cartridge mounting portion.
The ink cartridge includes (A) a housing including an ink storage chamber for storing ink that can be supplied to the ink receiving tube, the first side surface positioned at the tip in the mounting direction, and the rear in the mounting direction. A housing having a second side surface, an upper surface and a bottom surface located at an end; and (B) a tube insertion portion provided on the first side surface at a position closer to the bottom surface than the upper surface and into which the ink receiving tube can be inserted. And (C) a substrate provided in the housing, the substrate having a region located above the tube insertion portion and intersecting the mounting direction, and (D) the plurality of electrical connection portions, A plurality of electrical contacts that are electrically connectable, the plurality of electrical contacts arranged side by side in the region of the substrate along a direction intersecting a height direction from the bottom surface to the top surface;
A positioning portion provided in a position lower than and the plurality of electrical contacts in above said pipe insertion portion, of the housing in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction provided in the cartridge mounting portion A positioning member that can engage with a positioning member that regulates movement , and
The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the direction intersecting the height direction is a horizontal direction orthogonal to the height direction . The housing includes a second side surface located at a rear end in the mounting direction, the first side surface, the second side surface, a third side surface connected to the top surface and the bottom surface, and the ink storage chamber interposed therebetween. A fourth side surface located on the opposite side of the third side surface and connected to the first side surface, the second side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface;
44. The inkjet printer according to claim 43 , wherein the direction intersecting the height direction is a direction orthogonal to the third side surface and the fourth side surface.

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